In The News

Death rate continues to fall in Northern Ireland

Death rate continues to fall in Northern Ireland

THE number of deaths recorded in Northern Ireland in 2011 was the lowest figure for any year on record.

The figures are contained in the Annual Report from the Registrar General Northern Ireland.

A total of 14,204 deaths were registered in 2011, 253 fewer than in the previous year.

More women than men passed away — 7,286 compared with 6,918. With the average age being 79 for women and 72 for men. The majority of deaths (80%) were of people aged 65 and over. However, 103 of those who died had reached or surpassed the age of 100.

In other age groups, 2,392 deaths were of people aged between 35-64, 319 aged between 15-34 and 35 of children aged between 1 and 14.

Cancer is now the number one killer in Northern Ireland. In 2011, the disease was recorded as the cause of 4,059 deaths, the largest figure ever recorded. 

Other causes of death included suicide (289), alcohol (252), drugs (102), MRSA (30) and Clostridium difficile (81).

However, while the death rate continues to fall, the report points out that there is generally a lower expectation of life in Northern Ireland compared with other European countries.

This is despite children born in Northern Ireland today having a life expectancy of 77 years for boys and 81 for girls. On a table showing European-wide life expectancy the North occupies a low position — ahead of Finland, Portugal and Scotland. Sweden tops the table.

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