A new report has revealed that pneumonia and influenza emerged as leading causes of death in Canada for the year 2024. According to Statistics Canada, respiratory illnesses ranked sixth among the top 10 causes of death, with a significant increase of 20 percent in the number of deaths attributed to these diseases from 2023 to 2024. Notably, individuals aged 85 and older represented just over 52 percent of the deaths linked to pneumonia and influenza.
Cancer continues to hold its position as the foremost cause of death in Canada, responsible for more than a quarter of all fatalities nationwide. It remains the predominant cause of death for both men and women and across all provinces and territories. This pattern has persisted since the early 1990s, when cancer surpassed heart diseases as the leading cause of death. The top five causes of death are rounded out by accidents, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
Following influenza and pneumonia, other notable causes of death in the top 10 list include diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, COVID-19, and liver disease. The report reveals that approximately 28,000 deaths were attributed to dementia in 2024, indicating a rise of 4.8 percent from the previous year. Since the year 2000, the number of deaths associated with dementia has shown a consistent annual increase, with the exception of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. Interestingly, if dementia were ranked as a cause of death, it would occupy the third position behind cancer and heart diseases.
Moreover, the report highlights that over 70 percent of dementia-related deaths involved Canadians aged 85 years or older, with women comprising nearly two-thirds of these fatalities in 2024. This demographic trend underscores the increasing challenges posed by aging populations and the growing prevalence of dementia-related conditions.
In terms of overall health metrics, the life expectancy in Canada saw a slight improvement in 2024, rising to 81.68 years, thus aligning with pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019. This increase in life expectancy was more pronounced among men, who now have a life expectancy of 80.03 years, while women continue to outlive men with a life expectancy of 84.29 years. Notably, western provinces such as Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia experienced the most significant increases in life expectancy, suggesting regional variations in health outcomes and access to medical care.
This report paints a comprehensive picture of the health landscape in Canada for 2024, highlighting critical public health issues such as the rising mortality rates associated with respiratory illnesses, cancer, and dementia. The demographic shifts, particularly concerning the elderly population, illustrate the need for ongoing discussions about health care resources and support systems for older Canadians.
