Cardiovascular diseases claim 31% of lives in India, report reveals
Non-communicable diseases dominate mortality trends, with heart conditions leading as the top cause of death
NewsArc Bureau
New Delhi, September 6, 2025 – Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality in India, accounting for 31% of all deaths, according to the Report on Causes of Death: 2021–2023 released by the Sample Registration Survey under the Registrar General of India. The report, published on Wednesday, underscores the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which contributed to 56.7% of fatalities nationwide during the period.
The data highlights a slight increase in NCD-related deaths compared to the 2020–2022 period, which recorded 55.7% of deaths from these conditions. In contrast, communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional conditions accounted for 23.4% of deaths, down from 24.0% in the previous period. Among NCDs, cardiovascular diseases topped the list, followed by respiratory infections (9.3%), malignant and other neoplasms (6.4%), chronic respiratory diseases (5.7%), and digestive ailments (5.3%).
The report also identifies age-specific trends, noting that cardiovascular diseases dominate deaths among individuals aged 30 and above, while suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 29. Injuries, including unintentional ones, contributed to 9.4% of deaths, with ill-defined causes—often among those aged 70 and older—making up 10.5% of fatalities.
Despite potential limitations in data classification, the report emphasizes its value in understanding India’s mortality landscape. “The possibility of misclassification of causes is not completely ruled out,” the document states, yet it provides critical insights into the nation’s health challenges. Other notable causes of death include diabetes mellitus (3.5%), genitourinary diseases (3.0%), and fever of unknown origin (4.9%).
The findings call for urgent action to address the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and other NCDs, with experts urging stronger public health measures, including awareness campaigns and improved access to preventive care. The report’s comprehensive analysis, based on age, sex, residence, and geographical zones, offers a vital resource for policymakers to tackle India’s evolving health crisis.
