What are people in Switzerland most likely to die from, at each age?
Life expectancy at birth in Switzerland is about 82 years for men and 86 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 Die Dargebotene Hand on 143 (a small charge per call) — confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
Cancer screening in Switzerland
- Breast cancerevery 2 years from 50, through your canton's programme (most invite to 74)
- Colorectal cancerages 50–74: a stool test every 2 years, or a colonoscopy every 10 years
- Cervical cancerevery 5 years, ages 30–65 (from 25 in some countries)
- Lung cancerif you smoke or smoked heavily, ages 50–74 — ask whether it's offered
Based on Swiss federal insurance rules (KLV), cantonal programmes and European guidelines. Each cancer's page compares the programmes country by country.
Computed by Odainn from official Eurostat mortality statistics for Switzerland (2023) — how we calculate. Educational, not medical advice.