What are Poles dying of?

In 2023, the leading causes of death in Poland were cardiovascular diseases, cancers and respiratory diseases. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 36% of all deaths, cancer nearly 24%, and respiratory diseases 6.7%. Deaths due to external causes, such as accidents and injuries, accounted for 4.5% of all deaths.

Since 1992, the standardized death rate from cardiovascular diseases has decreased significantly. In 2022, it was 323 per 100,000 population, 54% of the 2000 value. However, the intensity of deaths from these diseases is still very high, especially among men under the age of 45, where the death rate was three times higher than for women of the same age.

Cancer was the second most common cause of death in Poland. In 2022, the standardized death rate from this cause was 226 per 100,000 population. From 1980 to 2001, there was a steady increase in the rate of cancer deaths, but from the beginning of the 21st century this trend began to change, as a result of a decline in mortality in younger age groups.

Respiratory diseases were also a significant cause of death, especially among the elderly. In 2022, the standardized death rate from this cause was 62 people per 100,000 population. Despite an ongoing decline in mortality from these diseases over a number of years, the death rate has remained at a similar level since the beginning of the 21st century.

In 2023, life expectancy in Poland will increase to 74.7 years for men and 82 years for women. The main causes of death are cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases. The increase in life expectancy is the result of long-term trends in reducing mortality, although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected temporary reductions in life expectancy.

Source: CSO