Among the population residing in France, 641,046 people died in 2024 within the country, which is 4,000 more deaths than in 2023. However, the age-standardized mortality rate (777.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants), which accounts for the aging population, decreased by 11 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 2023. This decrease is less pronounced than that observed between 2022 and 2023. The age-standardized mortality rate in 2024 is lower than that of 2019. However, mortality in France remains higher than would have been expected if the downward trend observed before the COVID-19 pandemic had continued through 2024.

The decline in Covid-19-related mortality is partly offset by the rise in mortality from respiratory diseases

The decrease in all-cause mortality in 2024 is driven by a 7-death-per-100,000-inhabitants decline in Covid-19 mortality compared to 2023. Smaller declines are also observed for mortality due to ill-defined symptoms and conditions, cardio-neurovascular diseases, and tumors.

In contrast, mortality from respiratory diseases (excluding COVID-19) is increasing by 5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 2023, driven by a rise in influenza and pneumonia. Furthermore, there has been an increase in mortality from infectious diseases, particularly sepsis, as well as an upward trend since 2019 in genitourinary tract infections.

Tumors, the leading cause of death among both men and women, ahead of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

In 2024, tumors—primarily cancers—are the leading cause of death among both men and women, accounting for more than a quarter of all deaths (27.1%). On average, they affect people who are younger than those who die from all causes combined. Mortality from tumors continues to decline, with the exception of pancreatic cancer, which is trending upward, and lung, bronchial, and tracheal cancers among women.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure) accounted for more than one-fifth of deaths (21.2%). They remain the second leading cause of death, despite a slight decline compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, mortality rates from endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases; cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; and diseases of the digestive and genitourinary systems remain higher in 2024 than the projected continuation of pre-pandemic trends.  

In 2025, according to a preliminary estimate, mortality rates from tumors and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are expected to decline slightly. However, the number of deaths from these diseases is expected to remain stable or increase as the baby boom generation reaches advanced ages.

More than one-fifth of deaths have an imprecise or unknown cause

Of all deaths, 4.8% have an unknown cause, and 16.5% have an initial cause that is insufficiently specific. These imprecise causes include, in particular, respiratory arrest, senility, heart failure, and sepsis without a specified point of origin. Taking into account age-specific differences in mortality, the initial causes of death among women and deaths occurring at home are more often unspecified.

One-third of deaths are associated with comorbidities or medical history in 2024

In addition to the underlying cause that triggered the process leading to death, 32% of death certificates also list at least one associated cause of death. These correspond to comorbidities—factors that increase the risk of or exacerbate the underlying cause—with an average of 2.2 associated causes per certificate. 

Across all age groups, hypertension, cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders, diabetes mellitus, and neoplasms are the most common associated causes. The number of associated causes listed increases with age. Similarly, the ranking of the most common associated causes varies by age group. For example, hypertension is the most common associated cause among people aged 65 and older, whereas it ranks fourth among those under 65, behind tumors, alcohol, and tobacco.

Taking these factors into account in addition to the initial cause provides a better measure of the impact of chronic diseases and medical history, which is underestimated by the initial cause alone.

About Drees

Established by the decree of November 30, 1998, the Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics (Drees) is part of the Public Statistical Service (SSP), along with INSEE and other ministerial statistical agencies. Its role is to provide reliable information and analyses in the fields of social affairs and health. For more than 20 years, DREES’s work has been guided by an ethical commitment whose principles—codified and shared at the European level—include professional independence, a commitment to quality, respect for statistical confidentiality, impartiality, and objectivity. DREES is also a ministerial statistical service whose primary mission is to support and evaluate public social and health policies.

About Inserm and CépiDc

Founded in 1964, the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) is a public scientific and technological institution under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Research. Dedicated to biological and medical research and human health, it is active across the entire spectrum, from the research laboratory to the patient’s bedside.

The Center for Epidemiology of Medical Causes of Death (CépiDc) is the Inserm unit responsible for fulfilling France’s legal and regulatory mandate to produce national statistics on medical causes of death. These statistics are compiled from information provided by physicians on the medical sections of death certificates. At the same time, CépiDc has developed expertise in public health for the statistical analysis of French and international data on causes of death.

About Santé publique France

Santé publique France is France’s leading center of reference and expertise in public health. Grounded in the continuum between knowledge and action, its mission is to protect and improve the health of the population. Its work addresses major public health challenges over the long term: from protection against threats (including infectious risks, environmental risks, and health determinants) to improving health (prevention, health promotion aimed at reducing the burden of disease and social and regional inequalities, etc.). Santé publique France is a public institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.