The Top Ten Deadliest Diseases in the World
As of the latest global health statistics (based on WHO and Global Burden of Disease reports up to 2024), the top ten deadliest diseases in the world—ranked by annual death toll—are listed below. These figures represent approximate global deaths per year: 🩺 Top 10 Diseases by Death Rate Worldwide Rank Disease Approx. Annual Deaths Key Causes/Notes 1 Ischemic Heart Disease (Heart attack) ~9.4 million Caused by narrowed heart arteries; linked to poor diet, smoking, and inactivity 2 Stroke ~6.5 million Interrupted blood flow to the brain; high blood pressure is a major factor 3 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ~3.3 million Lung damage due to smoking, air pollution 4 Lower Respiratory Infections ~2.6 million Includes pneumonia, bronchitis; deadly for infants and elderly 5 Neonatal Conditions ~1.9 million Birth complications, prematurity, neonatal sepsis 6 Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancers ~1.8 million Mostly caused by smoking an...