9.407-125/09

Vienna, 16 June 2009 – In the year 2008 75 083 people died, thereof 53 per cent women and 47 per cent men. According to Statistics Austria almost 90 per cent of all deceased have been 60 years or older. 43 per cent of the deaths were caused by cardiovascular diseases, further 26 per cent by cancer. Over the past ten years the absolute number of deaths decreased by four per cent. Considering demographic ageing mortality fell by even 21 per cent (age-standardised mortality rate). The autopsy rate (percentage of autopsies out of all deaths) dropped from 26 per cent (1998) to 18 per cent (2008). A particularly strong decrease was registered with autopsies done by the medical authority of Vienna. The autopsy ratio is an important quality indicator for the causes of death statistics.

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