Mortality, Cause-of-Death Statistics and Regional Differences

Published in April 2011 in the series of Federal Health Reporting ("Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes")

In Germany the mortality rate has fallen sharply over the last 20 years, more so in the former east Germany than in the west, so that a convergence has taken place. The main remaining discrepancy between east and west is among 15- to 64-year-old men.

The mortality of men is significantly higher than that of women in virtually all age groups, a fact that has remained very stable over time. Men ‘s average life expectancy in Germany is currently about five years lower than that of women. Only one or two years of these are regarded as being determined by biological-constitutional factors; gender-related differences of behaviour – such as smoking, nutrition and risky behaviour – are very important. The development and existence of regional differences in mortality have diverse, sometimes mutually influencing causes. An essential role is played in this context by socio-economic factors, as well as migration and selection effects.

Diseases of the circulatory system and cancer are dominant causes of death in Germany. Mortality due to circulatory disorders has fallen more than cancer mortality. Issues discussed in connection with the quality of cause-of-death statistics include the problems and inconsistencies of post-mortems and coding, as well as low autopsy rates.