Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as heart attacks and strokes, continue to be the leading cause of death in India, accounting for nearly 31% of all deaths in the country. This alarming data comes from a recent report based on the Sample Registration Survey conducted between 2021 and 2023.
The report shows that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which include conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses—are responsible for a significant 56.7% of all deaths in India. In contrast, communicable diseases, maternal and newborn health issues, and malnutrition together account for 23.4% of deaths.
Top Causes of Death in India
According to the findings, the top ten causes of death in the country include:
Cardiovascular diseases (30.9%)
Respiratory infections (9.3%)
Cancer and other tumors (6.4%)
Chronic respiratory diseases (5.7%)
Digestive diseases (5.3%)
Fever of unknown origin (4.9%)
Unintentional injuries (3.7%)
Diabetes (3.5%)
Kidney and urinary diseases (3.0%)
The report also highlights that injuries, both intentional and unintentional (such as accidents and suicides), make up 9.4% of all deaths. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the 15–29 age group, pointing to growing mental health concerns among youth.
Interestingly, ill-defined causes of death, often found in older people aged 70 and above, account for 10.5% of total deaths. These are cases where the exact cause could not be clearly determined, which the report says may be due to limitations in data collection.
What the Report Means
This data paints a clear picture of India’s shifting health landscape, where lifestyle-related illnesses are replacing infectious diseases as the main health threat. The rise of heart disease and diabetes is a warning sign, urging people to adopt healthier habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
The report also encourages health authorities to focus more on preventive care, early diagnosis, and public awareness, especially for non-communicable diseases, to reduce early deaths and improve the overall health of the population.
with inputs of PTI