Causes of death

Provisional Mortality Statistics

11,320 deaths occurred in January 2021 and were registered by 31 March 2021.
Numbers of deaths were above historical averages for January 2021.
Numbers of deaths due to cancer and dementia were above historical averages in January.

Reference period

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021

Causes of Death, Australia

Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death, accounting for 10.8% of all deaths.
Dementia overtook lung cancer as the 2nd leading cause of death for males.
Intentional self-harm death rate was 12.9 per 100,000 people.
Chronic lower respiratory disease is now the second leading cause of death of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, overtaking Diabetes.

Reference period

Causes of Death, Australia: Doctor Certified Deaths, Summary Tables

Statistics on doctor certified death registrations

Reference period