Top Causes of Death in Israel: A Comprehensive Analysis of Mortality Rates and Gender Disparities

In 2022, malignant tumors and heart disease were the top two leading causes of death in Israel for both men and women. Cancer claimed the lives of 11,650 individuals in the country this year, with specific types of cancer varying between the sexes. Among men, trachea, bronchi, and lung cancer were most prevalent, while breast cancer was the most common among women. The report also highlighted the impact of the corona epidemic as the third leading cause of death between 2020-2022.

Mortality rates from infectious diseases have increased significantly in Israel over the last decade, resulting in over 2,000 deaths each year from 2020-2022. On the other hand, there has been a substantial decrease in mortality rates from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases over the past 40 years. When comparing gender disparities, it was found that men had a higher death rate for all causes compared to women by a factor of 1.5 in 2022.

In an international comparison with OECD countries, Israel ranked eighth in mortality from all causes. While mortality rates from leading causes such as cancer and heart disease were lower than most OECD countries, Israel had higher mortality rates from infectious diseases. Additionally, men had lower cancer-related mortality rates compared to most OECD countries but higher rates compared to women in Israel.

Overall, this report provides valuable insights into how leading causes of death are distributed in Israel and highlights trends in mortality rates and gender disparities that need further attention to improve health outcomes for all citizens.