3 in 10 deaths caused by cancer

© Hollandse Hoogte / David Rozing
In 2018, the number of deaths in the Netherlands stood at 153 thousand. With nearly 47 thousand cases (30 percent), cancer was the leading cause of death, just as in previous years. Around 25 percent of mortality was due to cardiovascular diseases and 1 percent to influenza. This is evident from new figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Causes of death vary strongly per age group. In 2018, fewer than 2 thousand people between the ages of 15 and 40 passed away. 44 percent of these deaths were related to non-natural causes such as accidents, suicides and homicide. At 45 percent, cancer was the largest cause of mortality among 40 to 79-year-olds. Mortality due to cardiovascular diseases was highest among people over the age of 80, while 5 percent of last year’s deaths among the over-85s were caused by a fall.

Causes of death, 2018
 Cause of death (%)
Cancer30
Cardiovascular diseases25
Mental disorders and diseases of the nervous system13
Diseases of the respiratory system9
Non-natural causes of death6
Other causes of death17

Cancer mortality higher among men than women

Relatively more men than women die from cancer. However, women are more likely to die from mental disorders or diseases of the nervous system, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is largely attributable to the fact that women die at a later age than men on average.

Causes of death by sex, 2018
DoodsoorzakenMenWomen
Cancer2525921368
Cardiovascular diseases1825319516
Mental disorders and diseases of the nervous system748212535
Diseases of the respiratory system67427296
Non-natural causes of death43274300
Other diseases1245913826