To preface, the data below is as per Statistics Canada, and more details can be found here.
In 2022, Canada experienced 334,623 deaths, reflecting a 7.3% increase from the previous year. This surge was observed uniformly across all provinces and territories, excluding Nunavut. The age-standardized mortality rate rose to 972.5 deaths per 100,000 population, up from 907.2 in 2021 and 830.5 in 2019 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Life expectancy at birth in Canada declined for the third consecutive year, dropping from 81.6 years in 2021 to 81.3 years in 2022. This decline was more pronounced among females (-0.4 years) than males (-0.2 years). Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba witnessed decreases in life expectancy, while Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia remained relatively stable.
Various factors contribute to changes in life expectancy, including the number and age distribution of deaths. Deaths among younger age groups in 2022, partly attributable to investigations by coroners or medical examiners (often involving unintentional injuries, suicides, and homicides), influenced the decline in life expectancy.
Cancer and heart disease continued to be the leading causes of death in 2022, collectively accounting for 41.8% of all deaths. COVID-19, accidents, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis completed the top 10 causes. These 10 causes represented 68.2% of all deaths, with a total of 227,705 attributable deaths in 2022.
The release includes revised data for deaths in 2019, 2020, and 2021 to incorporate the latest available information. The report underscores the complex interplay of factors contributing to mortality rates and life expectancy changes in Canada.
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