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What kills people in Switzerland at each age

Six facts computed from official Eurostat death and population statistics for Switzerland (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 Switzerland aged 15–44, 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 Die Dargebotene Hand on 143 (a small charge per call) — confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.

Fact 2

At 45, a man in Switzerland is 38% 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 Switzerland at 25 is ×0.61, at 65 ×0.71; a woman at 45 ×0.68.

  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. Italy1 in 568
  9. Netherlands1 in 573
  10. Spain1 in 593
  11. Switzerland1 in 666
  12. Sweden1 in 688
Fact 3

Life expectancy: Switzerland ranks 1st of 37 for men and 2nd 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 Switzerland outlive men by 3.6 years — the 7th-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. Switzerland3.6
Fact 5

A 20-year-old man in Switzerland has an 87% chance of reaching 70

Chance that a 20-year-old man lives to 70, at today's death rates (women in Switzerland: 92%):

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

The diseases of ageing take over from suicide as the top threat for men in Switzerland at 47 — for women at 36

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. Germany41
  10. Italy41
  11. Spain41
  12. Romania30
What about you — and the people you love?

See what's most likely to kill someone of your age and sex in Switzerland. 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: Switzerland by age · Europe. Population statistics, not predictions for any individual. Educational, not medical advice.