The average yearly number of deaths is used to determine death rates. All ages of individuals can die in a variety of ways, both natural and unnatural. South Africa ranks #1 in the world in terms of death rate, with an estimated 17 fatalities per 1000 people in 2012. By death rates, Ukraine, Lesotho, and Chad are ranked in second, third, and fourth place respectively. The overall death rate in each country is shown in the ranking, as well as all types of deaths.
| RANK | COUNTRY | (DEATHS/1,000 POPULATION) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 17.23 |
| 2 | Ukraine | 15.76 |
| 3 | Lesotho | 15.18 |
| 4 | Chad | 15.16 |
| 5 | Guinea-Bissau | 15.01 |
| 6 | Central African Republic | 14.71 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 14.59 |
| 8 | Somalia | 14.55 |
| 9 | Bulgaria | 14.32 |
| 10 | Swaziland | 14.21 |
| 11 | Russia | 14.1 |
| 12 | Belarus | 13.9 |
| 13 | Mali | 13.9 |
| 14 | Serbia | 13.81 |
| 15 | Latvia | 13.6 |
| 16 | Estonia | 13.6 |
| 17 | Nigeria | 13.48 |
| 18 | Zambia | 13.4 |
| 19 | Niger | 13.4 |
| 20 | Namibia | 13.09 |
| 21 | Gabon | 13.07 |
| 22 | Malawi | 12.84 |
| 23 | Mozambique | 12.79 |
| 24 | Hungary | 12.7 |
| 25 | Moldova | 12.62 |
| 26 | Burkina Faso | 12.47 |
| 27 | Zimbabwe | 12.38 |
| 28 | Angola | 12.06 |
| 29 | Botswana | 12 |
| 30 | Croatia | 11.99 |
