Cancer is once again the leading cause of death in Luxembourg
Martha Dominguez de Gouveia, Unsplash
In 2024, 4,308 people died in Luxembourg, of whom 155 were non-residents. Although the total number of deaths increased by 1.2% compared to 2023, the mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants (613) decreased slightly, by 0.7%. However, behind the dry figures lie important changes in the structure of mortality and its geography.
The average age of death is 78 (75 for men and 81 for women). Most deaths (56.3%) occur in hospitals, followed by nursing homes and private homes. Interestingly, December is the month with the highest number of deaths (412), while August has the lowest (300).
The leading cause of death in the country is tumours (1,224 cases), followed by cardiovascular diseases (1,006) and respiratory diseases (375). Mental disorders and behavioural abnormalities (341), external causes, including accidents and suicides (248), and diseases of the nervous system (241) are also notable.
In terms of gender, lung cancer ranks first among men (122 deaths), while breast cancer ranks first among women (107). Among cardiac causes, heart failure (207), myocardial infarction (122) and ischaemic heart disease (110) are the leading causes of death.
Against the backdrop of an overall decline in mortality in key areas (data since 1998), there has been a particularly notable increase in deaths related to mental illness and behavioural disorders — up 22.4% compared to 2023. Mortality from tumours also increased by 9.2%, especially among men (+16.1%).
In 2024, 537 deaths could have been prevented through effective prevention, and another 273 through timely treatment. These figures are an indicator of the quality of both public health and the country's healthcare system. The fewer such deaths, the more effective the system is.
When comparing standardised mortality rates across cantons, Vianden, Diekirch and Esch show significantly higher mortality rates (up to 1,334 cases per 100,000), while Capellen and Luxembourg are well below average (655 and 675 per 100,000, respectively). This reflects territorial disparities in access to healthcare and overall social protection.
The fact that most deaths occur in December may be related to seasonal exacerbations of diseases and the burden on the healthcare system.
