Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Every year, millions of lives are lost across the globe, and Nigeria ranks among the top countries with the highest annual death figures.
With an estimated 2.67 million deaths each year, Nigeria’s mortality burden stems largely from preventable causes — high child and maternal mortality rates, malaria, infectious diseases, and poor healthcare infrastructure continue to claim lives despite global health advancements.
Worldwide, these numbers highlight stark contrasts between nations battling ageing populations and chronic diseases and those like Nigeria where preventable illnesses and weak health systems fuel high death rates. From Asia to Africa and the Americas, the factors behind these losses mirror each nation’s health capacity, economic development, and living conditions.
The latest United Nations data shows the top 11 countries with the highest annual deaths are: China, India, United States, Nigeria, Indonesia, Russia, Pakistan, Japan, Brazil, Germany, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
