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What kills people in Denmark at each age

Six facts computed from official Eurostat death and population statistics for Denmark (2023), next to 36 other countries (Belarus, whose causes of death by age are estimated, only where life expectancy is compared). Every number links to the page it comes from. Free to cite with a link.

Fact 1

For men in Denmark aged 15–39, the most likely cause of death is suicide

The most likely cause of death over the next 10 years, by age:

Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call Livslinien on 70 201 201 (09:00–05:00, normal call rate) — confidential; at other times, call 112. Or find help at findahelpline.com.

Fact 2

At 45, a man in Denmark is 22% less likely to die in the next year than the median European man

Chance that a 45-year-old man dies within 12 months. Against the median of 34 European countries, a man in Denmark at 25 is ×0.68, at 65 ×1.00; a woman at 45 ×0.93.

  1. Romania1 in 181
  2. Poland1 in 223
  3. United Kingdom1 in 355
  4. France1 in 387
  5. Germany1 in 413
  6. Belgium1 in 446
  7. Austria1 in 456
  8. Denmark1 in 537
  9. Italy1 in 568
  10. Netherlands1 in 573
  11. Spain1 in 593
  12. Switzerland1 in 666
  13. Sweden1 in 688
Fact 3

Life expectancy: Denmark ranks 15th of 37 for men and 19th for women

Life expectancy at birth, men (years):

  1. Switzerland82.1
  2. Sweden81.5
  3. Norway81.3
  4. Italy81.1
  5. Iceland81.0
  6. Spain81.0
  7. Ireland80.9
  8. Cyprus80.9
  9. Malta80.7
  10. Luxembourg80.4
  11. Netherlands80.2
  12. Belgium80.1
  13. France79.9
  14. Canada79.7
  15. Denmark79.6
  16. Austria79.4
  17. Portugal79.3
  18. United Kingdom79.2
  19. Greece79.0
  20. Finland78.9
  21. Slovenia78.5
  22. Germany78.4
  23. Czechia76.8
  24. United States76.0
  25. Croatia75.3
  26. Slovakia74.8
  27. Türkiye74.7
  28. Poland74.6
  29. Estonia74.2
  30. Serbia73.6
  31. Hungary73.3
  32. Lithuania72.8
  33. Romania72.5
  34. Bulgaria71.9
  35. Latvia70.4
  36. Belarus69.2
  37. Moldova67.4
Fact 4

Women in Denmark outlive men by 3.9 years — the 10th-narrowest gap of 37 countries

How much longer women live than men, at birth (years):

  1. Belarus10.2
  2. Latvia9.5
  3. Lithuania8.8
  4. Moldova8.8
  5. Estonia8.4
  6. Romania7.6
  7. Bulgaria7.6
  8. Poland7.4
  9. Slovakia6.5
  10. Hungary6.4
  11. Denmark3.9
Fact 5

A 20-year-old man in Denmark has an 82% chance of reaching 70

Chance that a 20-year-old man lives to 70, at today's death rates (women in Denmark: 89%):

  1. Switzerland87%
  2. Sweden86%
  3. Italy85%
  4. Netherlands84%
  5. Spain84%
  6. Belgium82%
  7. Denmark82%
  8. Austria82%
  9. United Kingdom81%
  10. France80%
  11. Germany79%
  12. Poland68%
  13. Romania63%
Fact 6

The diseases of ageing take over from suicide as the top threat for men in Denmark at 41 — for women at 35

The age at which heart disease, cancer, lung, brain or metabolic disease becomes the most likely cause of death (for young women, usually breast cancer). Men, by country:

  1. Belgium48
  2. Switzerland47
  3. France46
  4. Poland46
  5. Netherlands46
  6. Sweden45
  7. Austria43
  8. United Kingdom42
  9. Denmark41
  10. Germany41
  11. Italy41
  12. Spain41
  13. Romania30
What about you — and the people you love?

See what's most likely to kill someone of your age and sex in Denmark. Free.

Check your risks

Computed by Odainn from official mortality statistics (Eurostat, 2023) — how we calculate. © European Union, Eurostat — reuse authorised with acknowledgement of the source. More: Denmark by age · Europe. Population statistics, not predictions for any individual. Educational, not medical advice.