Leslie Massey
The leading causes of death in Australia vary across states and territories, genders, and age groups. In 2023, there were 183,131 deaths registered in Australia, with over two-thirds occurring in people aged 75 and above. The leading cause of death was ischaemic heart disease, closely followed by dementia, which disproportionately affects women. Other leading causes include lung cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suicide rates increased in Western Australia and Tasmania, with the highest rate in the Northern Territory. COVID-19 was a leading cause of death for those aged 85 and over.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leading cause of death in 2023 | Ischaemic heart disease |
| Second leading cause of death in 2023 | Dementia |
| Third leading cause of death in 2023 | N/A |
| Leading cause of death for men in 2023 | Coronary heart disease |
| Leading cause of death for women in 2023 | Dementia |
| Leading cause of death for First Nations people | Coronary heart disease |
| Second leading cause of death for First Nations people | Diabetes |
| Third leading cause of death for First Nations people | COPD |
| Leading cause of death for people aged 1-44 | External causes |
| Leading cause of death for people aged 85+ | COVID-19 |
| Jurisdiction with the highest suicide rate | Northern Territory |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Heart disease
Coronary heart disease, a type of heart disease, was the leading cause of death for males in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and the sixth and seventh leading cause of death for females in 2023 and 2024, respectively. It is also the leading cause of disease burden for males. Overall, heart disease kills more men than any other disease, with death rates twice as high for males as for females.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. CVD is a leading cause of death in Australia, killing one in every four Australians. In 2022, it was the underlying cause of 45,000 deaths (24% of all deaths), and in 2021, it was the underlying cause of death in 42,700 deaths (25% of all deaths). Every 12 minutes, one Australian dies from CVD, and every 74 minutes, one person dies from a heart attack. CVD is responsible for 11% of all hospitalisations and costs the Australian health system $12.7 billion every year.
Hemp Protein Powder: Australia's Ban Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$20.41 $29.99
![By Patricia Cornwell Cause of Death. (English Language) [Mass Market Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LuNb-cCwL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Dementia
The high prevalence of dementia in Australia has a significant impact on caregivers. It is estimated that 1.7 million people in Australia are involved in the care of someone living with dementia. Informal care, provided by relatives or friends, is a common source of support, with 52.7% of those receiving informal support being helped by their children, and 48.3% by their partners.
History of Australia Post: Foundation and Beyond
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Suicide
Males are disproportionately affected by suicide in Australia, with males accounting for 75.3% of deaths by suicide, compared to 24.7% for females. The median age at death by suicide for men is 45.8 years, while for women, it is 44.4 years. The suicide rate is particularly high for men aged 55-59, with this age group representing 9.5% of male suicides. For women, the highest age-specific suicide rate is among those aged 50-54, with a rate of 10.0 deaths per 100,000 females.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia are also disproportionately impacted by suicide. The median age of death by suicide for this group is 33.0 years, more than a decade younger than the median age for the general population. The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people increased by 20% between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023.
Furthermore, alcohol and drug use are correlated with suicide in Australian young adults, with detectable substances found in 30-50% of suicides during post-mortem investigations. Suicide among adolescents remains a prominent issue, despite a gradual decrease in rates.
Monster Trucks: Coming to Australia, When and Where?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lung cancer
The greatest risk factor for lung cancer is tobacco smoking. A 2010 study estimated that 81% of lung cancers that year were caused by smoking tobacco. Other risk factors include exposure to second-hand smoke, occupational hazards, and family history. If lung cancer is detected early, there is a greater chance of a better outcome, and over 65% of lung cancers can be successfully treated with less invasive procedures. However, lung cancer often has no early symptoms, and symptoms may include coughing up blood, a new cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, weight loss, and persistent infections.
There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma are subtypes of NSCLC, which is the most common type of lung cancer. SCLC is less common and tends to be more aggressive, growing and spreading faster than NSCLC. Another rare type of lung cancer is mesothelioma, which develops after exposure to asbestos.
The Australian government has established initiatives such as the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) to detect lung cancer early in people at high risk. It is important for individuals diagnosed with lung cancer or their loved ones to remember that they are not alone and that there is a lot of help available from family, friends, health professionals, and cancer support organizations.
Australian Magpies' Diet: What They Eat and Why
You may want to see also
Explore related products
COVID-19
The pandemic has disproportionately affected certain communities in Australia. The mortality rate from COVID-19 is 1.5 to 1.6 times higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Additionally, within this community, females face a higher risk, with a mortality rate 2.3 to 2.7 times higher than that of non-Indigenous females. Socioeconomic status also plays a role, with almost four times as many deaths due to COVID-19 in the lowest socioeconomic group compared to the highest.
The impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates in Australia has fluctuated over time. Between January and March 2025, there was a 50.2% decrease in COVID-19-related deaths compared to 2024 and a 60.5% decrease compared to 2023. However, the overall number of deaths in March 2025 was lower than in previous years, with 1,778 fewer deaths than in 2024 and 683 fewer than in 2023.
The pandemic has also had indirect effects on health and well-being in Australia. It contributed to increased psychological distress, especially among young people and adults aged 18–45. There were also changes in health behaviours, with some individuals improving their habits while others experienced a negative impact. For example, 20% of adults who usually drank alcohol reported increased consumption compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Christopher Robin: Australian Release Date and Preview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The leading cause of death in Australia in 2023 was ischaemic heart disease, followed by dementia, which was the leading cause of death for women. Other leading causes include lung cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The three leading causes of death for First Nations people in Australia are coronary heart disease, diabetes, and COPD.
The most common direct causes of death in Australia in 2022 were lower respiratory complications, such as pneumonia, particularly for those with coronary heart disease, dementia, and COVID-19.
The Northern Territory had the highest suicide rate at 17.0 per 100,000 people. Crude death rates were highest in Inner regional areas and lowest in Very remote areas.
High cholesterol, depressive disorders, alcohol use disorders, and osteoporosis are among the most common contributing factors to deaths in Australia, each accounting for 1-2% of deaths.
