Turkey’s Death and Mortality Statistics Announced: Heart Diseases Take the Top Spot / Vezir Agency

Introduction to Turkey's Mortality Data for 2024

Recent data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) reveals that approximately 489,361 individuals lost their lives across Turkey in the year 2024. The figures highlight significant demographic and health trends, including gender disparities, regional variations, and leading causes of mortality.

Gender Disparities in Mortality

Analysis shows that more than half of the fatalities involved men, accounting for 54.8% of all deaths, underscoring a gender gap in mortality rates. Women represented 45.2%, reflecting underlying health, social, or behavioral factors that influence longevity.

Decline in Crude Death Rate

The crude death rate, which measures the number of deaths per 1,000 residents, has decreased from 6.2 in 2023 to 5.7 in 2024. This downward trend indicates a slight improvement in overall health conditions or healthcare effectiveness over the past year.

Regional Variations in Mortality Rates

The province with the highest crude death rate in 2024 was Kastamonu, registering 10.4 deaths per thousand inhabitants. It was followed by Sinop with 10, Edirne and Balıkesir both with 9.7, and Artvin with 9.6. Conversely, the provinces with the lowest rates included Hakkari at 2.2, Şırnak at 2.4, and Van at 2.9 per thousand residents, highlighting considerable regional disparities.

Leading Causes of Death

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular issues remain the primary cause, responsible for 36% of all deaths in 2024. Within this category, ischemic heart diseases contributed to 42.9%, followed by other heart conditions at 23.9%, and cerebrovascular diseases at 18.3%. Regional analysis shows that Çanakkale had the highest mortality rate from cardiovascular causes at 50.7%, with Karabük, Balıkesir, and Çorum also experiencing elevated rates. Regions with the lowest cardiovascular death rates included Kilis at 26.6%, Van at 29.9%, and Kayseri at 30.9%.

Malignant and Benign Tumors

Second in the ranking are malignant tumors, which accounted for 16.3% of all causes. The most common types involved cancers of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs (29.1%), followed by colon (8%) and lymphoid and hematopoietic tumors (7.8%). Regional data indicates the highest death rates from tumors in Ağrı at 21.7%, with other high-incidence provinces including Bingöl, Ankara, and Van. Conversely, provinces such as Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Çorum, and Şırnak reported lower tumor-related mortality rates.

Infant and Child Mortality Trends

The number of infant deaths decreased from 9,731 in 2023 to 8,475 in 2024. Correspondingly, the infant mortality rate declined from 10.1 per thousand live births to 9 per thousand. The under-five mortality rate also saw a reduction, dropping from 14.7 to 11.1 per thousand live births, indicating overall improvements in maternal and child health services.

Conclusion

This comprehensive analysis of Turkey’s mortality data for 2024 underscores regional disparities, gender differences, and prominent health challenges. Continuous monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to sustain and enhance health outcomes nationwide.

This article has been developed, translated, and reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence, ensuring accuracy and depth. For further details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions at Vezir Agency.