The number of deaths

In 2016, there were 172,418 deaths in Taiwan, an increase of 8,844 deaths or 5.4％ compared to the previous year. The deaths for males and females were 102,985 and 69,433, respectively.

The crude death rate was 733.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 2016, increased by 5.2％ compared to 2015; the age-adjusted death rate(based on the WHO standard world population age structure 2000) was 439.4 deaths per 100,000 population, an increase of 1.8％ over the previous year.

About 70.9％ of all deaths in Taiwan attributed to the population aged 65 and over in 2016. The deaths of the population aged 65 and over were 122,256, increased 7,567 deaths or 6.6％ from 2015.

The 10 leading causes of death in 2016

The 10 leading causes of death for 2016 were, in rank order: (1)Malignant neoplasms(cancers); (2)Diseases of heart; (3)Pneumonia; (4)Cerebrovascular diseases; (5)Diabetes mellitus; (6)Accidents; (7)Chronic lower respiratory diseases; (8)Hypertensive diseases; (9)Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis; and (10)Chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis. They accounted for 76.8％ of all deaths in Taiwan.

Two causes changed rank in 2016 compared to 2015. Pneumonia moved up from the fourth to the third rank, and Cerebrovascular diseases moved down from the third to the fourth rank.

The leading causes of death varied by age group, the top two causes for the population aged 1-14 were Accidents and Cancers; for the population aged 15-24 were Accidents and Suicides; for the population aged 25-44 were Cancers and Accidents; for the population aged 45 and over were Cancers and Diseases of heart.

The 10 leading causes of cancer death in 2016

There were 47,760 deaths due to cancer, which accounted for 27.7％ of total deaths. The crude death rate was 203.1 deaths per 100,000 population, an increase of 1.8％ compared to the previous year；the age-adjusted death rate was 126.8 deaths per 100,000 population, a decrease of 0.9％.

 The 10 leading causes of cancer death in 2016 were (1) Cancers of trachea, bronchus and lung; (2) Cancers of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts; (3) Cancers of colon, rectum and anus (4) Cancer of breast(Female); (5) Cancer of oral cavity; (6) Cancer of prostate; (7) Cancer of stomach; (8) Cancer of pancreas; (9) Cancer of oesophagus; (10) Cancer of ovary. They accounted for 76.6％ of total cancer deaths.

Statistical Tables

Table1. Causes of Death, 2015 and 2016

Table2. Causes of Death for Males, 2015 and 2016

Table3. Causes of Death for Females, 2015 and 2016

Table4. Causes of Cancer Death, 2015 and 2016

Table5. Causes of Cancer Death for Males, 2015 and 2016

Table6. Causes of Cancer Death for Females, 2015 and 2016

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