Article · Health news

New WHO estimates show how the leading causes of death have changed since 2000

Health news Published · sources checked

On 2 October 2026 the WHO published Global Health Estimates for 2000 to 2023: heart disease is still the top cause of death and dementia has risen to fifth.

Key points

  • The WHO published new Global Health Estimates covering 2000 to 2023 on 2 October 2026.
  • Noncommunicable diseases caused 74% of global deaths in 2023, up from 58% in 2000, according to the WHO release.
  • Ischaemic heart disease remained the leading cause of death; dementia moved up to fifth place from 19th in 2000.
  • Diabetes ranked sixth, lung cancers seventh and kidney diseases ninth.

What was announced

On 2 October 2026 the World Health Organization (WHO) released new Global Health Estimates covering 2000 to 2023. The WHO says noncommunicable diseases accounted for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, up from 58% in 2000. Eight of the ten leading causes of death were noncommunicable diseases.

Ischaemic heart disease remained the leading cause of death. Dementia rose to fifth place from 19th in 2000, diabetes ranked sixth, tracheal, bronchial and lung cancers seventh, and kidney diseases ninth. HIV and AIDS fell to 22nd place from seventh in 2000, and COVID-19 left the top ten for the first time since the pandemic began.

What it means

The WHO says the 2000 to 2023 estimates are not comparable with its previously released estimates, because of changes in data and methods.

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