Cardiovascular diseases remain the most common cause of death - Hesse's 2024 death toll dips as heart disease and cancer dominate

Hesse recorded 71,500 deaths in 2024, a slight drop of 2.1% from the previous year. Heart-related illnesses remained the region's biggest killer, with cardiovascular diseases topping the list once again.

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, caused 35.6% of all deaths in 2024. Cancer followed as the second most common cause, accounting for 22.7% of fatalities. Respiratory diseases ranked third, responsible for 7.7% of cases.

COVID-19 deaths fell sharply compared to 2023. The virus caused just under 1,100 deaths, roughly half the previous year's total. This placed it twelfth among leading causes, making up 1.5% of all fatalities.

Nationally, cardiovascular diseases were the top cause of death for women and the second for men. However, no direct comparison with other German states was available for Hesse's 2024 figures.

The overall death toll in Hesse declined slightly in 2024, with cardiovascular diseases and cancer remaining the most frequent causes. COVID-19's impact continued to lessen, though it still contributed to a small share of fatalities.