Heart and respiratory diseases accounted for 49.8% of all medically certified deaths in India in 2024, according to the latest Report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) released by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI). The figures highlight the growing burden of lifestyle-related illnesses and may also reflect the impact of worsening air pollution.
A total of 2.06 million deaths were medically certified during the year, representing 23.1% of all registered deaths—the highest proportion since 2021, indicating gradual improvements in medical certification and reporting.
The report shows that 38.8% of medically certified deaths were caused by circulatory diseases, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and other blood vessel disorders. Respiratory illnesses also contributed significantly, taking the combined share of cardiovascular and respiratory deaths to nearly half of all medically certified fatalities.
Meanwhile, Covid-19-related deaths dropped sharply to just 497 cases in 2024, compared with over 2,000 in 2023 and more than 4.13 lakh during the pandemic peak in 2021, reflecting the continued decline in pandemic-related mortality.
Although medically certified deaths still account for less than one-fourth of all registered deaths, health experts say the data reinforces a clear trend: non-communicable diseases, particularly heart and lung conditions, are becoming the leading causes of death in India, underscoring the need for stronger preventive healthcare, healthier lifestyles, and improved air quality.
