Most common causes involved in deaths in Australia

Multiple causes reflect how often the health condition is involved in causing death. In 2023, the 20 causes most commonly involved in death included a mix of chronic conditions, infectious diseases, risk factor-related causes and non-specific causes.

Assessment of multiple causes can show which conditions are most involved in causing death but not revealed as the underlying cause only. For example, hypertension, (specified) heart failure, sepsis and frailty were among the most commonly recorded causes, but were not among the leading underlying causes (Figure 8.3). In 2023, hypertension was the most common contributory cause recorded in 8.2% of deaths. However, a recent Australian study has shown that hypertension mortality is significantly underreported (Adair et. al 2024).

Figure 8.3: Most common causes of death, by cause type, 2023

The tile map shows the leading 10 multiple, underlying, direct and contributory causes of death by sex or age group. From age 45 common causes involved in death begin to shift from external causes and mental and behavioural conditions (including alcohol and drug use disorders) to more chronic diseases as people age. 

The tile map shows the leading 10 multiple, underlying, direct and contributory causes of death by sex or age group. From age 45 common causes involved in death begin to shift from external causes and mental and behavioural conditions (including alcohol and drug use disorders) to more chronic diseases as people age. 

Notes:

  1. The year refers to year of registration of death. Deaths registered in 2023 are based on the preliminary version and are subject to further revision by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
  2. Cause groups and specific causes are based on the cause list used for reporting on multiple causes of death as described in the Technical notes: Classifying causes of death.

Source: AIHW National Mortality Database; Tables S8.5 & S8.6.

Using the multiple cause of death approach shows that considering the underlying cause only may underestimate the impact of certain conditions in causing death. For example, in 2023:

Coronary heart disease was the underlying cause in 1 in 11 deaths but was involved in 1 in 5 deaths.

Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease was the underlying cause in 1 in 11 deaths, but the condition was involved in 1 in 6 deaths.

Diabetes was the underlying cause in 1 in 31 deaths but was involved in 1 in 9 deaths.

Chronic kidney disease was the underlying cause in 1 in 59 deaths but was involved in 1 in 9 deaths.

The 20 most common causes involved in deaths in Australia in 2023 (using multiple causes) were similar for males and females, with some differences in rankings and proportions.

There were more noticeable differences between males and females in the 20 leading contributory causes. Substance use disorders (alcohol, tobacco, other drugs) were among the most common contributory causes for males, while musculoskeletal conditions (osteoporosis and osteoarthritis) were common contributory causes for females.

For younger Australians (aged 15–44), external causes and substance use disorders were commonly involved in death.

For ages 45–54, coronary heart disease and chronic liver disease were the most common causes involved in death.

For those aged 55–94 chronic diseases were the most common conditions involved in death.

Differences are seen across the lifespan in the types of deaths and the role they play. In 2023, among young Australians (aged 15–44), the most common causes involved in death were external causes such as suicide and substance use disorders (Figure 8.3). The direct and contributory causes reflect the consequences and common circumstances surrounding the deaths, including:

  • consequential injuries (e.g. asphyxiation) and toxic effect of substances and drugs were the most common direct causes of death
  • mental health conditions such as drug and alcohol use disorders and depression, and psychosocial contexts such as issues related to intimate partner relationships (such as relationship breakdowns) and personal history of self-harm were among the leading contributory causes.

For ages 45–54, coronary heart disease and chronic liver disease were the most common causes involved in death. Alcohol use disorders and substance use disorders commonly contributed to deaths in this age group.

From ages 55–94, the most commonly recorded causes involved in death were chronic diseases (coronary heart disease, diabetes and dementia). In 2023, for people aged 55–94:

  • sepsis, lower respiratory infections and secondary cancers were the most common direct causes, reflecting the health consequences of the chronic diseases involved in death.
  • chronic and risk factor related conditions such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hypertension and dementia were common contributory causes.

The mortality profile for the oldest Australians, 95 years and older, shows that dementia was the most common cause involved in death and frailty and senility were among the most often reported direct and contributory causes.

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