by Last year the number of deaths in Germany increased by 4.2%. As the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden has now announced, around 1.07 million people died in 2022, compared to around 1.02 million people the previous year.
- Cardiovascular disease was once again the most common cause of death, accounting for a third (33.6%) of all deaths.
- In just over a fifth (21.7%) the cause was cancer.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death: how to protect yourself
According to the German Heart Foundation the following points help promote heart health:
- Stress reduction
- Sufficient physical activity, preferably endurance sports such as hiking, cycling, jogging, swimming, etc.
- a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, wholemeal products and little meat
- Avoid cigarettes
- Avoid alcohol
- pay attention to blood pressure
- Avoid or reduce excess weight and belly fat
- Carry out a cardiological check-up for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases
Deaths from the coronavirus are decreasing
And what about Corona?
- According to the information, Covid-19 was determined as the main cause of death in 52,357 deceased people (4.9%).
- A year earlier, i.e. in 2021, this was the third most common cause of death with a share of 6.9% (71,331 deaths).
The data does not include cases where Covid-19 was documented as a comorbidity on the death certificate. This data will be published at a later date, he said.
In contrast, the number of deaths due to respiratory diseases increased above average by 18% to 67,633. Statisticians explained that the increase in deaths from influenza and people dying from pneumonia was instrumental in this. The Federal Office does not include Covid-19 in these statistics as a respiratory disease because it is considered separately as the cause of the pandemic, a spokesperson explained.
Significant increase in deaths due to mental illnesses
The Federal Office recorded a further significant increase (+14.7%) in people who died due to mental suffering or behavioral disorders. “A total of 68,777 people have died from these diseases, including 25,941 men and 42,836 women,” it said. With 53,323 deaths, dementia would account for more than three-quarters of this disease group.
The number of deaths from non-natural causes also increased: according to the data, 47,912 people (4.5%) died from a so-called external cause, which corresponds to an increase of approximately 11% compared to the previous year. The greatest increase was recorded in falls, with 20,311 people losing their lives (up 11.7%). For transport accidents, especially road accidents, the pandemic effect of the previous year no longer exists. Here the number of deaths increased by 8% to 3,141 cases.
The number of suicides increased by 9.8% compared to the previous year to 10,119 deaths. However, as in previous years, the share of suicides among all causes of death remained constant at around 1%. At around 74%, men made up the majority.
After the autopsy examination, the doctor must fill out a death certificate. There, personal data, time and place of death are officially documented. This death certificate contains a reserved section in which the presumed cause of death is entered. It is distinguished based on the determining cause of death, concomitant or secondary diseases and the immediate cause of death.
