What are people in Belgium most likely to die from, at each age?
Life expectancy at birth in Belgium is about 80 years for men and 84 for women. But what threatens people most changes with age — and until late middle age it is rarely what people expect. Pick an age group for the full picture.
Top cause = the most likely cause of death over the next 10 years (on wider screens, with its share of all risk) · 10-year risk = chance of dying from any cause within 10 years, for someone in the middle of the age group.
Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call 1813 (Zelfmoordlijn) or 0800 32 123 (Centre de Prévention du Suicide) — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
Cancer screening in Belgium
- Breast cancerevery 2 years, ages 50–69
- Colorectal cancerevery 2 years, ages 50–74 (home stool test)
- Cervical cancerevery 3 years, ages 25–29 (smear)every 5 years, ages 30–64 (HPV test)
- Lung cancerif you smoke or smoked heavily, ages 50–74 — ask whether it's offered
Based on the Belgian regional screening programmes, INAMI/RIZIV rules and European guidelines. Each cancer's page compares the programmes country by country.
Computed by Odainn from official Eurostat mortality statistics for Belgium (2023) — how we calculate. Educational, not medical advice.