“Statistics Show Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Still Top Causes of Death in the Netherlands Despite COVID-19 Pandemic”

Cancer and cardiovascular disease are still the most common causes of death in the Netherlands, according to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

Last year there was again excess mortality. 14,500 more people died than expected. The excess mortality is therefore higher than the number of registered corona deaths (more than 8,000). The two flu waves may have influenced this, says Statistics Netherlands.

Last year, more than 170,000 inhabitants died in the Netherlands, 28 percent of whom died from cancer and 23 percent from cardiovascular disease.

The number of corona deaths fell from nearly 20,000 two years ago to 8,200 last year.

The CBS also reports that many more people died from respiratory diseases (an increase of 27 percent).

More people also died from the consequences of mental illness and disease of the nervous system. These include Parkinson’s disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s.

According to Statistics Netherlands, the increase in these groups may be related to the two flu waves in the spring and in the winter. Furthermore, the number of deaths due to non-natural causes of death, such as after a fall, increased. Murder and suicide are also included.