Türkiye recorded 491,684 deaths in 2025, a slight increase compared to the previous year, the Turkish Statistical Institute said in a statement on Thursday.

The number of deaths rose from 489,734 in 2024 to 491,684 in 2025. Men accounted for 55.1 percent of all deaths, while women represented 44.9 percent.

Crude Death Rate Unchanged

Despite the increase in the total number of deaths, the country's crude death rate remained unchanged at 5.7 deaths per thousand people in 2025.

Regional disparities, however, remained significant. The highest crude death rate was recorded in Sinop, where 10.8 deaths per thousand people were registered. Sinop was followed by Kastamonu with 10.2 per thousand, Giresun with 9.6 per thousand, and Balıkesir with 9.5 per thousand.

At the other end of the scale, Şırnak recorded the lowest crude death rate at 2.3 per thousand, followed by Hakkari with 2.5 per thousand, Van with 3.1 per thousand, and both Batman and Şanlıurfa with 3.2 per thousand.

Cardiovascular Diseases Remain Leading Cause of Death

Diseases of the circulatory system continued to be the leading cause of death in Türkiye, accounting for 34.7 percent of all deaths in 2025.

They were followed by neoplasms (cancers) at 16.1 percent and diseases of the respiratory system at 15.1 percent.

Among circulatory system diseases, ischemic heart disease was the most common cause of death, responsible for 42.3 percent of cardiovascular-related fatalities. Other heart diseases accounted for 24.6 percent, while cerebrovascular diseases such as strokes represented 18.2 percent.

Çanakkale Tops Cardiovascular Mortality List

When examined by province, Çanakkale recorded the highest proportion of deaths caused by circulatory system diseases, at 47.7 percent of all deaths.

The province was followed by Balıkesir with 42.8 percent, Hatay with 42.2 percent, and Burdur with 42.0 percent.

The lowest share of deaths linked to circulatory diseases was recorded in Kilis at 25.4 percent, followed by Hakkari with 28.7 percent, İstanbul with 28.9 percent, and Kayseri with 29.0 percent.

Lung Cancer Remains Leading Cancer Killer

Cancer remained the second leading cause of death nationwide.

Among cancer-related deaths, malignant tumors of the larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lungs accounted for the largest share at 28.9 percent. They were followed by colon cancer at 8.0 percent and cancers affecting lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues at 7.6 percent.

The highest proportion of cancer-related deaths was recorded in Ağrı, where neoplasms accounted for 22.4 percent of all deaths.

Ağrı was followed by Van with 19.8 percent, Kocaeli and Ankara with 19.5 percent each, and Elazığ with 19.4 percent.

Kilis again recorded the lowest proportion of cancer-related deaths at 9.7 percent, followed by Burdur with 10.9 percent, Şanlıurfa with 11.0 percent, and Aydın with 11.2 percent.

Infant and Child Mortality Continue to Decline

The latest data also showed notable improvements in child health indicators.

The number of infant deaths fell from 8,484 in 2024 to 6,988 in 2025. As a result, the infant mortality rate declined from 9.0 deaths per thousand live births to 7.8 per thousand.

Similarly, the under-five mortality rate dropped from 11.1 per thousand in 2024 to 9.5 per thousand in 2025, reflecting continued progress in maternal and child healthcare services.

The figures indicate that while chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of mortality in Türkiye, improvements in healthcare and child welfare programs continue to contribute to declining infant and child mortality rates across the country. (ILKHA)