UK annual number of deaths 2021 | Statista (2023)

Published by Statista Research Department, Mar 6, 2023

There were 667,479 deaths in the United Kingdom in 2021, compared with 689,629 in 2020. Between 2003 and 2011, the annual number of deaths in the UK fell from 612,085 to just over 552,232. Since 2011 however, the annual number of annual deaths in the United Kingdom has steadily grown, with the number recorded in 2020, the highest since 1918 when there were 715,246 deaths. Both of these spikes in the number of deaths can be attributed to infectious disease pandemics. The great influenza pandemic of 1918, which was at its height towards the end of World War One, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a large number of deaths in 2020.

 Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

The weekly death figures for England and Wales highlight the tragic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. In two weeks in April of 2020, there were 22,351 and 21,997 deaths respectively, almost 12,000 excess deaths in each of those weeks. Although hospitals were the most common location of these deaths, a significant number of these deaths also took place in care homes, with 7,911 deaths taking place in care homes for the week ending April 24, 2020, far higher than usual. By the summer of 2020, the number of deaths in England and Wales reached more usual levels, before a second wave of excess deaths hit the country in early 2021. Although subsequent waves of COVID-19 cases resulted in far fewer deaths, the number of excess deaths remained elevated throughout 2022.

Long-term life expectancy trends

As of 2020 the life expectancy for men in the United Kingdom was 79, and almost 83 for women, compared with life expectancies of 75 for men and 80 for women in 2002. Between 2011 and 2017, improvements in life expectancy in the UK started to decline, with average life expectancies stagnating and even going in reverse for women between 2015 and 2017, before recovering slightly since 2015/17. In 2017/19, for example the annual change in life expectancy was 6.26 weeks for men, and 7.3 weeks for women.

(Video) COVID- 19: UK death total surpasses 120,000

Number of deaths in the United Kingdom from 1887 to 2021

CharacteristicNumber of deaths
2021667,479
2020689,629
2019604,707
2018616,014
2017607,172
2016597,206
2015602,782
2014570,341
2013576,458
2012569,024
2011552,232
2010561,666
2009559,617
2008579,697
2007574,687
2006572,224
2005582,964
2004584,791
2003612,085
2002608,045
2001604,393
2000610,579
1999629,476
1998627,592
1997632,517
1996638,879
1995641,712
1994626,222
1993658,194
1992634,238
1991646,181
1990641,799
1989657,733
1988649,178
1987644,342
1986660,735
1985670,656
1984644,918
1983659,101
1982662,801
1981657,974
1980661,519
1979675,576
1978667,177
1977655,143
1976680,799
1975662,477
1974667,359
1973669,692
1972673,938
1971645,078
1970655,385
1969659,537
1968655,998
1967616,710
1966643,754
1965627,798
1964611,130
1963654,288
1962636,051
1961631,788
1960603,328
1959606,115
1958604,040
1957591,200
1956597,981
1955595,916
1954578,400
1953577,220
1952573,806
1951632,786
1950590,136
1949589,876
1948546,002
1947600,728
1946573,361
1945567,027
1944573,570
1943585,582
1942562,356
1941627,378
1940673,253
1939581,857
1938559,598
1937597,798
1936580,942
1935561,324
1934558,072
1933579,467
1932567,986
1931573,908
1930536,860
1929623,231
1928543,664
1927568,655
1926536,411
1925558,132
1924563,891
1923526,858
1922579,480
1921544,140
1920555,326
1919602,188
1918715,246
1917589,416
1916599,621
1915666,322
1914611,970
1913600,554
1912580,977
1911620,868
1910578,091
1909614,910
1908621,427
1907625,271
1906629,955
1905617,516
1904651,301
1903613,726
1902636,650
1901655,646
1900695,867
1899685,510
1898654,812
1897645,630
1896620,108
1895676,110
1894593,808
1893673,722
1892661,273
1891696,490
1890665,758
1889615,033
1888605,899
1887629,287

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(Video) The total number of deaths from the coronavirus in the UK has risen to 130,000
(Video) Why are birth rates falling and excess deaths rising? | Jamie Jenkins
(Video) Growing proportion of COVID deaths occur among vaccinated: analysis

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(Video) The Data Dive: Average number of deaths falling in England and Wales

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FAQs

UK annual number of deaths 2021 | Statista? ›

In 2021, there were 667,479 deaths in the United Kingdom, compared with 689,629 in the previous year, which was the most deaths in a single year since 1918, when there were 715,000.

How many people were killed in the UK in 2021? ›

There were 667,479 deaths in the United Kingdom in 2021, compared with 689,629 in 2020. Between 2003 and 2011, the annual number of deaths in the UK fell from 612,085 to just over 552,232.

Is the annual number of deaths per 1000 population? ›

Crude death rate indicates the number of deaths per 1,000 midyear population.

How many deaths happen in the UK? ›

Using the most up-to-date data we have available the number of deaths from the week ending 13 March 2020 to the week ending 26 May 2023 was 1,919,585 in England and Wales; of these 1,798,269 were recorded in England and 118,240 were recorded in Wales.

What is the average death rate in the UK per year? ›

In England, there were 540,333 deaths registered in 2022, 9,016 fewer deaths than 2021, and 6.3% above the five-year average for England (32,083 more deaths). In Wales, 35,694 deaths were registered in 2022, 441 fewer deaths than 2021, and 5.0% above the five-year average for Wales (1,686 more deaths).

How much people died in 2021? ›

In 2021, approximately 3,458,697 deaths occurred in the United States (Table). The age-adjusted rate was 841.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population, an increase of 0.7% from 835.4 in 2020.

How many were murdered in 2021? ›

How many criminal homicides were there in the U.S.? In 2021, there were 22,900 reported cases of murder or non-negligent manslaughter in the United States.

What country has the most deaths per year? ›

Death rate
RankCountrydeaths/1,000 population
1Lithuania15.17
2Serbia15.12
3Romania14.92
4Latvia14.69
117 more rows

Which country has the most death rate? ›

  1. Bulgaria. Bulgaria has the highest mortality rate in the world at 15.4 deaths per 1,000 people. ...
  2. Ukraine. Ukraine has the second-highest mortality rate of 15.2 deaths per 1,000 people. ...
  3. Latvia. Latvia's mortality rate is 14.6 per 1,000 people. ...
  4. Lesotho. ...
  5. Lithuania. ...
  6. Serbia. ...
  7. Croatia. ...
  8. Romania.

Which country has the lowest death rate in the world? ›

Qatar has the absolute lowest death rate in the world, with 1.53 deaths per 1000 people annually. One of the major reasons for its low number of annual deaths is its improved health care system.

How many people were killed in the UK last year? ›

The number of homicides in the latest year is similar to the four pre-pandemic years, from the year ending March 2017 (688 victims) to the year ending March 2020 (677 victims, including 39 victims from the Grays lorry tragedy in 2019).

What is the death rate in the UK per 1000? ›

Crude death rate in the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2021
CharacteristicCrude death rate (deaths per 1,000 population)
202010.3
20199.1
20189.3
20179.2
9 more rows
Mar 6, 2023

Where do most deaths occur in the UK? ›

The proportion of people dying at their usual place of residence (home, care home or religious establishment) has increased over time, from 35% in 2004 to 49% in 2021. The proportion of deaths occurring at hospitals decreased from 51% in 2011 (data for previous years is unavailable) to 44% in 2021.

What is the death rate in the US each year? ›

The age-adjusted death rate increased by 5.3% from 835.4 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2020 to 879.7 in 2021.

What is the death rate in the US? ›

COVID-19 was the underlying cause or contributing cause in about 7.5% of deaths with a death rate of 61.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, compared to a death rate of 115.6 per 100,000 people in 2021.

What is the number 1 death rate in America? ›

Number of deaths for leading causes of death:

Heart disease: 695,547. Cancer: 605,213.

How many people fell and died in 2021? ›

The highest number of deaths due to falls in the United States was 44,686 in 2021. This statistic shows a timeline of the number of unintentional-injury-related deaths due to falls in the United States from 1905 to 2021.

What is the leading cause of death in the world? ›

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally.

How many deaths and births in 2021? ›

In 2021, the crude death rate for the world is 7.64 deaths per thousand population, and the crude birth rate for the world is 17.76 births per thousand. The crude death rate and birth rate of the world have been declining at a moderating rate since 1950.

Which country has the highest murders rate 2021? ›

Murder Rates by Country
#CountryMurder Rate
1Jamaica44.95 per 100k
2Honduras36.33 per 100k
3South Africa33.46 per 100k
4Mexico28.37 per 100k
73 more rows

Which US city has the highest crime rate? ›

1. St. Louis, Missouri
  • Violent crime rate: 1,927 per 100,000 inhabitants.
  • Property crime rate: 6,183 per 100,000 inhabitants.
  • Notable issue: The city has the highest homicide rate in the country.
May 3, 2023

How many murders in usa per day? ›

US Daily Murder Statistics

The average number of people murdered per day is 44.7. The highest number of people murdered per day is 90. The lowest number of people murdered per day is 9.

Who killed the most humans in history? ›

But both Hitler and Stalin were outdone by Mao Zedong. From 1958 to 1962, his Great Leap Forward policy led to the deaths of up to 45 million people—easily making it the biggest episode of mass murder ever recorded.

What is the leading cause of death in the United States by age? ›

Accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 25-44, followed by suicide and cancer. For those 65 and older, the top causes of death are roughly the same as the top causes of death for the overall population (heart disease and cancer). This is because those 65 and older made up 74% of all deaths in 2018.

What are the top six causes of death worldwide? ›

Leading Causes of Death
  • Heart disease: 695,547.
  • Cancer: 605,213.
  • COVID-19: 416,893.
  • Accidents (unintentional injuries): 224,935.
  • Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 162,890.
  • Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 142,342.
  • Alzheimer's disease: 119,399.
  • Diabetes: 103,294.

Who has the highest body count in the world? ›

The most prolific modern serial killer is arguably doctor Harold Shipman, with 218 probable murders and possibly as many as 250 (see "Medical professionals", below). However, he was actually convicted of a sample of 15 murders.

What country got hit the hardest with COVID-19? ›

When we took an initial look at total COVID-19 deaths, our Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecast showed that the countries with the largest epidemics since February 2020 include India, the United States, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico.

Which country has the most unnatural deaths? ›

Introduction
CountryRationale
FranceHighest unnatural death rates among large developed countries.
United StatesHigh levels of unnatural death rates were followed by a period of improvement, which has deteriorated over the last 15 years.
Canada
ItalyModerate experience initially, followed by relatively strong improvement.
3 more rows

What country has the longest life expectancy? ›

Monaco has the highest life expectancy in the world in 2023, according to World Population Review, where locals live to an average age of 87. Asian countries in the top 10 include Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, while European countries that made the list include Switzerland and Italy.

What country has the most preventable deaths? ›

France did best -- with 64.8 deaths deemed preventable by timely and effective health care per 100,000 people, in the study period of 2002 and 2003. Japan had 71.2 and Australia had 71.3 such deaths per 100,000 people. The United States had 109.7 such deaths per 100,000 people, the researchers said.

What are the top 3 leading causes of death in low income countries? ›

The top three causes of death in low-income countries (LICs) are enteric infections [0.141 (0.098–0.201) per 1,000], other infectious diseases [0.103 (0.073–0.148) per 1,000], and neglected tropical diseases and malaria [0.102 (0.054–0.172) per 1,000].

What is the most common cause of accidental death in the UK? ›

Each year in the UK, around 6,000 people a year die following an accident at home and many thousands are injured. The single biggest cause of accidental injuries in the home are falls and people over the age of 65 are by far the most affected.

How many men are killed in the UK each year? ›

Of the 696 recorded homicides in England and Wales in 2021/22, 498 of the victims were male and 198 of the victims were female.

Which country has the worst knife crime? ›

Introduction
#CountryStabbing Death Rate
1South Africa16.95 per 100k
2Lesotho16.38 per 100k
3Eswatini9.31 per 100k
4Botswana8.88 per 100k
91 more rows

What is the death rate in China? ›

Globally, China's mortality rate is at a low range at slightly more than seven deaths per thousand inhabitants annually. The low mortality rate was a result of political stability and steady improvements in the health system.

Which age group has most deaths? ›

These trends continue to the present day. The current age distribution of deaths is dominated by the middle-age population, ages 25-64, driven by the opioid epidemic. Among adults 75 and older, deaths are driven by falls. The interactive chart allows you to explore these preventable deaths by age group.

What is Japan's death rate? ›

Crude death rate

In 2022, death rate for Japan was 12.7 per 1,000 people. Over the last 50 years, death rate of Japan grew substantially from 6.7 to 12.7 per 1,000 people rising at an increasing annual rate that reached a maximum of 5.60% in 2005 and then decreased to 0.12% in 2022.

What is the largest cause of preventable death in the UK? ›

The leading causes of avoidable deaths in 2021 for all persons (see Figure 4) were: Cancers (5,085 avoidable deaths (a rate of 98 per 100,000 people). Circulatory system diseases (4,478 avoidable deaths, a rate of 86 per 100,000 people).

What is the UK birth and death rate? ›

In 2021, there were 694,685 live births in the UK, an increase of 1.9% from 681,560 in 2020. There were 666,659 deaths registered in the UK in 2021, a decrease of 3.3% from 689,629 in 2020.

What is the UK's death rate forecast? ›

The assumed long-term rate of mortality improvement in 2045 for the UK and each of its countries has been set at 1.2% for those aged 0 to 90 years; lower improvements are assumed for those aged 91 years and over.

Is the death rate higher than the birth rate in the US? ›

Deaths Outnumbered Births in Half of All States Between 2020 and 2021.

Does the United States have the highest mortality rate? ›

The U.S. has the highest rate of deaths amenable to health care among comparable countries.

Is obesity the leading cause of death? ›

Obesity is a chronic health condition that raises the risk for heart disease — the leading cause of death in the United States — and is linked to many other health problems, including type 2 diabetes and cancer.

What is Mexico's death rate? ›

Crude death rate

In 2022, death rate for Mexico was 6.7 per 1,000 people. Before death rate of Mexico started to increase to reach a level of 6.7 per 1,000 people in 2022, it went through a trough reaching a low of 4.9 per 1,000 people in 2002. The description is composed by our digital data assistant.

What is the average death age? ›

Women's life expectancy was 79 years in the U.S. in 2021, while men's was about 73, according to CDC data. The U.S. has a higher rate of avoidable deaths, which is measured as death before the age of 75, among men than any comparable country.

What disease has the lowest survival rate? ›

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death around the globe. Other conditions, such as stroke, COPD, lower respiratory infections, and respiratory cancers, also account for a significant portion of deaths each year.

What state has most deaths? ›

The analysis looked at cumulative COVID-19 death rates between January 2020 and July 2022. Results were also standardized for age and comorbidities. Here are the 10 states with the highest death rates per 100,000 people: Arizona: 581 per 100,000.

What is Russia's death rate? ›

In 2022, death rate for Russian Federation was 16.3 per 1,000 people. Though Russian Federation death rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through 1973 - 2022 period ending at 16.3 per 1,000 people in 2022. The description is composed by our digital data assistant.

What is the death rate in Canada? ›

Canada Death Rate 1950-2023
Canada - Historical Death Rate Data
YearDeath RateGrowth Rate
20217.8490.590%
20207.8030.580%
20197.7580.600%
71 more rows

How many people died in London 2021? ›

There were 124 homicides recorded by the police in London for the period between April 2021 and March 2022, compared with 119 in the previous reporting year.

What kills the most people in the UK per year? ›

Heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK, that's more than 160,000 deaths each year – an average of 460 deaths each day or one every three minutes in the UK.

Is knife crime worse in UK or US? ›

The US has a higher rate and incidents of knife violence than the UK. For the past five years, the rate of homicides caused by knives has been higher in the US than in the UK. The UK has several laws to help prevent knife crime, including harsher punishments for those convicted of carrying knives.

How many people died in London last year? ›

Births and deaths in London (2010-2020)

Each year, more people are born in London than die. Just under 116,000 babies were born in 2020 and nearly 59,000 died.

What is the biggest health problem in the UK? ›

The four most common chronic conditions in the UK for men and women were allergy, high blood pressure, low back disorder and depression; allergy was the most common reported chronic health condition in both men and women (30.4% and 36.0%, respectively).

What is the main illness in the UK? ›

#1 Heart disease

Among the top causes of death in the UK, heart disease and circulatory disease kill 170,000 deaths a year, or about 460 people a day.

What is the leading cause of death in the US every year? ›

Number of deaths for leading causes of death:

Heart disease: 695,547. Cancer: 605,213.

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