What Is the Leading Cause of Death in Every Country? (2026)

In this video, we show the leading cause of death in every country using an animated world map. Discover how the leading causes of death differ around the world, from cardiovascular diseases and cancer to infectious diseases, respiratory conditions, neurological diseases, injuries, and other causes. The map reveals major differences in patterns of mortality across countries and regions. This video is based on publicly available global health data from the IHME Global Burden of Disease study, using country-level estimates of the leading causes of death. The latest available data used in this video covers deaths through 2023, while the video is presented in 2026. Causes of death can vary significantly between countries and over time. The map shows the leading cause at the national level and does not represent the risk faced by every individual. Estimates may also differ depending on the data source and methodology used. The goal of this video is to visualize global patterns in mortality through a clear and engaging world map animation.