How Many People Die Each Day in the US in 2025? And What’s Behind It

Every single day in the United States, an estimated 8,990 people lose their lives.

That staggering number isn’t just a statistic—it’s a daily reflection of the nation’s public health landscape, societal changes, and the evolving face of medicine.

With a population nearing 346 million, understanding these figures helps us grasp the health challenges facing the U.S. today.

While the most current comprehensive data is still being compiled for 2025, projections based on the most recent full datasets from 2022 and 2023 help paint a reliable picture.

Below, we break down death rates, leading causes of death, seasonal mortality patterns, drug-related fatalities, and overall life expectancy.

How Many People Die Each Day in the U.S.?

According to the World Population Review, the U.S. experiences approximately 8,990 deaths per day—equivalent to around 348 deaths per hour.

In 2023, the CDC reported 3,090,582 total deaths, which averages out to 8,470 deaths daily.

While slight fluctuations occur yearly, these numbers remain relatively stable barring major public health events (like COVID-19).

Top 10 Causes of Death in the U.S.

The United States sees millions of deaths each year, but just a handful of causes account for the majority. Here’s a breakdown of the top contributors, based on CDC and related reports:

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the number one killer in the U.S., responsible for 702,880 deaths in 2022, according to the CDC. That’s 1 in every 5 deaths. The adjusted mortality rate stands at 210.9 per 100,000 people.

The most common form, coronary heart disease, alone caused 371,506 deaths that year. On the economic side, direct and indirect costs related to heart disease reached an estimated $252.2 billion between 2019–2020.

Beyond lifestyle and genetics, geography plays a surprising role in heart disease outcomes. Rural Americans are significantly more likely to die from cardiovascular conditions than urban dwellers, largely due to longer emergency response times and fewer nearby cardiac care facilities.

According to the CDC, people living in rural counties experience a 20–30% higher rate of death from heart disease.

2. Cancer

Despite medical advances in early detection and treatment, cancer remains a leading cause of death. In 2025, it’s estimated that 611,720 people will die from various types of cancer, equating to around 1,676 deaths per day.

According to the Advisory, the overall mortality rate for cancer stands at 146.0 per 100,000 people. Recent findings also highlight a concerning trend: younger Americans are increasingly being diagnosed with cancers traditionally associated with older age (PBS News).

According to the American Cancer Society, Black Americans are 19% more likely to die from cancer than white Americans, even when diagnosed at the same stage. This inequality often stems from differences in access to early detection, treatment facilities, and insurance coverage.

3. Accidents (Unintentional Injuries)

In 2022, accidents claimed 227,039 lives in the U.S., according to CDC FastStats. This includes unintentional overdoses, falls, drownings, and motor vehicle crashes.

44,534 of those deaths were due to motor vehicle accidents, as noted by Reuters. Early 2024 data shows a 3.2% decline in traffic-related fatalities, totaling 18,720 in the first half of the year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,486 fatal work injuries in 2022—up from the previous year. Construction, transportation, and agriculture remain the most dangerous industries, often due to lax safety enforcement, outdated equipment, and fatigue-related errors.

4. COVID-19

Once a top-three cause of death, COVID-19 has fallen to the 10th position, with 49,928 deaths reported in 2023.

This marks a massive drop from the 416,893 deaths recorded in 2021. In 2022, the virus was still linked to 186,552 deaths, as cited by The New York Post.

Even as COVID-19 deaths decline, the long-term health impact continues through what’s now known as “Long COVID”—a syndrome affecting up to 30% of recovered patients. Symptoms like chronic fatigue, brain fog, and heart irregularities can persist for months or even years.

This not only strains individuals but also impacts the workforce, contributing to long-term disability claims and increasing demands on primary care systems.

5. Stroke

Strokes led to 165,393 deaths in 2022, with about 453 lives lost each day, based on data from the CDC.

According to the Heart Newsroom, most stroke deaths are preventable through better management of hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors.

The American Stroke Association warns that delayed recognition of symptoms in younger people often leads to worse outcomes, as early treatment within the first 3 hours is critical for recovery.

6. Chronic Respiratory Diseases

11 people living with COPD shared what it’s like to deal with the symptoms, treatment and ongoing disease management for a chronic lung disease. Read their insights and learn what is changing to improve their quality of life: https://t.co/4OicuVedRV

— American Lung Association (@LungAssociation) May 12, 2024

Diseases like COPD accounted for 147,382 deaths in 2022, making them the sixth most common cause of death.

As the American Lung Association reports, over 11.7 million adults in the U.S. live with COPD.

Climate change is intensifying respiratory disease risk. In 2023 alone, wildfire smoke exposure reached record highs across the U.S., especially in the Midwest and Northeast.

According to the EPA, particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke can cause acute COPD flare-ups, especially in vulnerable populations like seniors and those with preexisting lung disease. Hospitals reported spikes in ER visits in affected regions during smoke events.

7. Alzheimer’s Disease

Although exact 2022 numbers aren’t fully confirmed, Alzheimer’s has seen a 141% increase in deaths from 2000 to 2021. By 2025, total care costs for Alzheimer’s in the U.S. are projected to exceed $360 billion, as estimated by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects Latino and Black communities, both of which are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop the disease than white Americans. However, they are far less likely to receive a timely diagnosis.

8. Diabetes

@jennifertrucken 💥In the United States, 38.4 million people have diabetes, which is 11.6% of the population: Diagnosed: 29.7 million people, including 29.4 million adults 💥Undiagnosed: 8.7 million people, which is 22.8% of adults with diabetes 👈👀 📈 💥Here are some other diabetes statistics for the United States: 💥About 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year. 💥97.6 million Americans age 18 and older had prediabetes in 2021. (And growing rapidly- these are old numbers friends ) 💥About 352,000 Americans under age 20 are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes. 💥The rates of diagnosed diabetes by race/ethnic background are: Non-Hispanic whites: 7.6% Asian Americans: 9% Hispanics: 12.8% Non-Hispanic blacks: 13.2% American Indians/Alaskan Natives: 15.9% 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇In the United States, 90–95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Worldwide, type 2 diabetes accounts for around 98% of all diabetes diagnoses. 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 Type 2 is a disease caused by eating too much, too often, and eating processed food. It is preventable, and it is a condition that can be put in remission. 💪👩‍⚕️ #facts #education #diabetes #drjen #foodtok #fyp ♬ original sound – Dr. Jen Truckenbrod, Pharm. D

In 2021, 103,294 Americans died of diabetes, and that number is likely higher now. Over 38.4 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, have been diagnosed with diabetes—a growing public health burden.

According to the CDC, 96 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, and more than 80% don’t know it.

Simple lifestyle changes at this stage can drastically lower future risk, yet public awareness campaigns remain underfunded compared to other chronic diseases.

9. Kidney Disease

57,937 deaths were attributed to kidney disease in 2022, according to the NIDDK.

Alarmingly, 9 out of 10 adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) don’t even know they have it. For those with diabetes, 1 in 3 are affected; for hypertensive patients, it’s 1 in 5.

The National Kidney Foundation reports that some patients travel more than 50 miles three times a week to receive dialysis.

Telehealth has emerged as a stopgap for consults, but not for the life-saving procedure itself.

10. Liver Disease and Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis claimed 54,803 lives in 2022, often tied to excessive alcohol use and hepatitis infections.

According to Statista, the age-adjusted death rate for liver-related diseases was 10.4 per 100,000.

Traditionally linked to alcohol use, liver disease is increasingly driven by NAFLD, which now affects roughly 1 in 4 American adults.

Closely tied to obesity and Type 2 diabetes, this condition can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even transplant requirements.

Why More Americans Die in Winter?

As temperatures drop, death rates in the U.S. quietly rise. Winter months are consistently deadlier, especially in temperate climates.

A combination of harsh weather, increased respiratory infections, and the strain on vulnerable populations all contribute to a seasonal spike in mortality.

What’s Driving the Winter Death Surge?

A study published by Oxford Academic found that winter accounts for 3% to 18% of annual deaths in developed countries—largely due to environmental stress and infectious disease spread.

Cold air compromises lung function and weakens immune defenses, making illnesses like influenza and pneumonia more prevalent—particularly dangerous for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. experiences an 8% to 12% increase in overall mortality during winter. The cold exacerbates heart conditions and respiratory disorders, especially among low-income and elderly populations.

Drug Overdose: A Crisis Turning a Corner?

Despite years of devastating loss, the U.S. appears to be making progress in its fight against drug overdose deaths—though challenges remain.

What’s Behind the Improvement?

• Increased Access to Buprenorphine – This FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder has been made more accessible, helping individuals transition away from highly lethal opioids.
• Widespread Distribution of Naloxone – Emergency naloxone kits—life-saving during overdose episodes—are now more widely distributed in public and private spaces.
• Opioid Settlement Funds – Money from major opioid lawsuits is being funneled into local prevention programs, addiction support services, and education campaigns—shifting from blame to community resilience. (AP News reports this shift is already showing results.)

Life Expectancy in the U.S. (2025): Bouncing Back, But Still Behind

U.S. Life Expectancy Overview

Life Expectancy by Gender (2025)

After years of pandemic-fueled decline, life expectancy in the U.S. is finally moving in the right direction. The average lifespan rose to 79.25 years in 2025, a small but meaningful increase from 79.11 in 2023, and notably higher than the pandemic low of 76.4 years in 2021. This rebound reflects both medical advancements and declining COVID-related fatalities.

However, it’s important to note that the U.S. still trails other wealthy nations. Countries like Japan and Switzerland consistently report life expectancies exceeding 83 years, signaling that the U.S. faces ongoing health system challenges, such as access disparities, chronic disease burdens, and mental health crises.

The gender gap persists as well: women outlive men by approximately 4.5 years. Behavioral factors—like greater healthcare engagement and lower rates of substance use—combine with social determinants, including support systems and job risk exposure, to explain the difference.

To close this gap both internationally and between genders, experts emphasize the need for:

Methodology

This article is built using the most recent and reliable data from sources like the CDC, World Population Review, and MacroTrends.

We analyzed reports from 2022 to 2024 and included 2025 projections based on verified government and academic trends.

Our goal was to balance facts with context—providing not just numbers, but the human stories and systems behind them.

We reviewed peer-reviewed studies, public health databases, and major news coverage from outlets like Reuters, PBS, and the Associated Press.

References

1. World Population Review – Deaths Per Day in the U.S.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Heart Disease Facts and Statistics
3. Advisory – Causes of Death in the U.S.
4. Reuters – U.S. Public Health Crisis Over Traffic Deaths
5. The New York Post – COVID-19 No Longer a Top Cause of Death
6. Heart Newsroom – Stroke-Related Deaths Statistics
7. American Lung Association – COPD Trends Brief
8. Alzheimer’s Association – Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures
9. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) – Diabetes Statistics
10. Statista – Deaths from Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.
11. Oxford Academic – Winter Mortality Trends
12. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Cold-Related Deaths
13. MacroTrends – U.S. Life Expectancy in 2025
14. Retirement Living – Life Expectancy Statistics
15. Associated Press – Addiction Treatments and Overdose Prevention
16. Worldometers – Global Life Expectancy Rankings
17. American Cancer Society – Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans
18. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Fatal Work Injuries in 2022