Belgium recorded 111,255 deaths in 2023, a 4% decrease from the prior year, according to data released Monday by the federal statistics office, Statbel. The figures provide a key overview of mortality trends within the country, revealing continued disparities related to age and gender.Tumors and circulatory diseases remain the leading causes of death nationally, together accounting for nearly half of all fatalities.
Belgium saw a 4% decrease in deaths in 2023, with a total of 111,255 recorded, according to figures released Monday by the federal statistics office, Statbel. The decline offers a snapshot of public health trends in the European nation.
As in previous years, tumors and circulatory diseases were responsible for nearly half of all deaths.
Tumors accounted for 27,337 deaths, a number that remained stable compared to the previous year, and primarily affected men, representing 27% of cases. Circulatory diseases caused 26,064 deaths – nearly 1,400 fewer than in 2022 – and were the leading cause of death among women, accounting for 24.5% of fatalities.
Respiratory diseases, which saw a decline between 2019 and 2021, continued to rise in 2023, building on a trend that began in 2022. They accounted for 11,877 deaths, representing 10.7% of all deaths in Belgium, Statbel reported. COVID-19 contributed to 2,068 deaths in 2023, a significant decrease from the more than 6,500 deaths recorded the year before, confirming a continued downward trend for the virus.
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Unnatural deaths, including accidents, falls, and suicides, decreased slightly year-over-year, with 7,188 cases reported, representing 6.5% of all deaths. As in past years, men were disproportionately affected, with these deaths accounting for 7.6% of male deaths compared to 5.3% of female deaths. This disparity highlights ongoing concerns about men’s mental health and safety.
These causes were particularly prevalent among young adults, peaking at 60.2% of deaths among those aged 20 to 24, and even 67.2% among men in that age group.
Among those over 85, circulatory diseases were the primary cause of death, accounting for nearly one-third of cases, followed by tumors.
