Cause-of-death statistics are among the most reliable sources of health data in Austria, as in many other countries. They collect information on the causes of death of all persons who die on Austrian territory on the basis of the Civil Status Act (Personenstandsgesetz), which corresponds to a medically documented full survey. The data, which is published annually as absolute numbers and age-standardised rates, forms the basis for medical and health system research. Research questions relate to the aetiology of diseases, the evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, the investigation of health problems in specific groups, and the identification of areas in which deaths may be prevented.