Leading Causes of Death in Brittany. 2023 Report.

Published on 1 June 2026

In 2023, 37,255 deaths were recorded among residents of Brittany, representing a standardized rate of 845 per 100,000 inhabitants and a decrease of 51 deaths from all causes per 100,000 inhabitants in the region in 2023 compared to 2022.
Male mortality remained higher than female mortality in 2023 (a standardized mortality rate of 1,103 per 100,000 men compared to 657 deaths per 100,000 women).
Tumors and diseases of the circulatory system represent, as at the national level, the two leading causes of death in the region (among both men and women) and in each Breton department in 2023, showing a slight decrease compared to 2022.
External causes of morbidity and mortality constitute the third leading cause of death in the region (driven primarily by accidents of daily life, suicides and self-inflicted injuries, and accidental falls). Among those under 65, external causes remained the second leading cause of mortality after tumors.
Mortality from COVID-19 is declining sharply, becoming the ninth leading cause of death in 2023.
Regional disparities are observed, with a higher age-standardized all-cause mortality rate in the Côtes d’Armor. Only the age-standardized rate in Ille-et-Vilaine is lower than the national rate.

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