Mortality in France: what the figures reveal

Three studies of the Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (DREES), of theNational Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and of Public Health France, published on June 23, 2026, provide a better understanding of the main causes of death in France and their recent evolution.

Once adjusted for the effect of population aging, overall mortality continues its decrease in 2024 compared to 2023. However, this improvement remains more limited than observations before the Covid-19 pandemic. This decline is partly explained by the decline in Covid-19 related deaths, but it also appears to be offset by the increase in deaths caused by respiratory illnesses (flu, pneumonia), Infectious diseases (septicemia) and genitourinary tract infections.

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in France.

Unlike globally, where cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the largest number of deaths, cancers remain the leading cause of death in France, accounting for 27,1% of deaths in 2024. While overall cancer mortality tends to decrease, some trends are still worrying, such as the increase in pancreatic cancer or certain cancers of the respiratory system in women.

Cardiovascular diseases in second place

The cardiovascular illnesses, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure, constitute the second cause of death, with 21,2% deaths.

The important role of risk factors

Beyond the main causes, the study highlights a key element: many deaths are associated with risk factorsIndeed, in one third of cases (32%) at least one comorbidity is mentioned at the time of death, such ashypertension, the diabetes, heart rhythm disorders or alternatively cancers.

It is also important to note that a significant proportion of deaths (21,3 %) is linked to imprecise or unknown causes including deaths at home and deaths of women.

Our mission at the Pasteur Institute of Lille: to better understand in order to better prevent

These data highlight a central public health issue: a large proportion of the deadliest diseases are linked to identified risk factors, often modifiable.

In response to these findings, researchers at the Pasteur Institute of Lille are contributing to advancing scientific knowledge and developing new approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat these diseases. This work is part of, in particular, oncology, With the Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Center of Lille (CRC Lille), as well as in the field of cardiometabolic diseases within several research units dedicated to these pathologies: UMR1011 RNMCD, unit METAB-OMICS, translational research unit on diabetes, CardioDiab team (UMR1167).

By combining basic and translational research, the Pasteur Institute of Lille actively contributes to the collective effort to reduce the impact of the two main causes of mortality in France.