Life expectancy, mortality and causes of death

Life expectancy is a summary measure of the number of years a person is expected to live, based on current age-specific death rates in the country. It is generally calculated separately for males and females.

Mortality rates (or death rates) relate the number of deaths in an age group to the population in that age group. Since the risk of dying varies by age and sex, mortality rates are typically provided by age and sex.

Cause of death data further disaggregates mortality into the underlying cause of death. This is important in understanding the main diseases from which different population groups (infants, children, adults, elderly) are dying.

1 - No Poverty 2 - Zero Hunger 3 - Good Health and Well-Being4 - Quality Education5 - Gender Equality6 - Clean Water and Sanitation7 - Affordable and Clean Energy8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth9 - Industry Innovation and Infrastructure10 - Reduced Inequalities11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities12 - Responsible Consumption and Production13 - Climate Action14 - Life Below Water15 - Life Land16 - Peace Justice and Strong Institutions17 - Partnerships Goals Sustainable Development Goals

Key Chart

News

News & Publications

Improving medical certification of cause of death in the Pacific

March 9, 2023

Medical certification of cause of death (MCCD) is a key source of mortality statistics. The death certificate is a permanent record of the fact and characteristics of death. It provides important personal information about the decedent, the circumstances and the cause of death.

Civil Registration and Vital Statistics profiles for the Pacific Island region

August 30, 2021

The CRVS profiles consolidate knowledge shared by countries on the status of their CRVS systems in the recent past, including through government websites, published reports, media releases and presentations, and direct engagement between the authors of these profiles and in-country civil registration offices and health information offices.