Between 2020 and 2023, COVID-19 emerged as a major cause of death in Canada, peaking in 2022 before sharply declining in 2023. According to national mortality data:
- 2020: 15,799 deaths (5.1% of all deaths)
- 2021: 14,617 deaths (4.7%)
- 2022: 19,906 deaths — the highest, at 5.9% of all deaths
- 2023: 7,963 deaths (2.4%)
While COVID-19 was the 4th leading cause of death in its first three years, it dropped to 6th place in 2023, signaling a decline in pandemic severity due to vaccines, immunity, and public health measures.
COVID-19 Deaths in Canada
| Year | Rank of Leading Causes of Death | Number of Deaths | Percentage of Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 15,799 | 5.1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 14,617 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 19,906 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 6 | 7,963 | 2.4% |
Key Insights:
- The highest annual death count occurred in 2022.
- COVID-19 consistently accounted for over 4% of all deaths during its peak years.
- The sharp drop in 2023 suggests improved control, though nearly 8,000 lives were still lost.
COVID-19 remains a critical consideration for long-term healthcare planning and respiratory disease surveillance in Canada.
Source:
| Source Name: | Statistics Canada. Table 13-10-0394-01 Leading causes of death, total population, by age group |
| Source Link: | https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1310039401 |
| Release Date: | 2025-02-19 |
Recent Comments