Rising Respiratory Illness Deaths in Delhi: A 2024 Overview

In 2024, Delhi witnessed a concerning increase in deaths due to respiratory illnesses, with over 9,200 fatalities reported. This marks a rise from the previous year's figures, alongside an overall increase in mortality rates. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, while infectious diseases also contribute significantly. Notably, the infant mortality rate has shown slight improvement. This article delves into the health statistics of Delhi, highlighting the urgent need for public health interventions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 10:01 IST

Increase in Respiratory Illness Deaths

In 2024, over 9,200 individuals succumbed to respiratory diseases in Delhi, a rise from 8,800 fatalities recorded in 2023, according to data released by the Delhi government.

Respiratory conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and tuberculosis are among the most common illnesses contributing to these deaths.

The overall mortality rate in Delhi also saw an uptick, with more than 139,000 deaths reported in 2024, compared to 132,000 in the previous year.

Delhi recorded approximately 306,000 births in 2024, which is 8,628 fewer than in 2023.

Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure, were the leading cause of mortality, claiming over 21,200 lives in 2024.

In 2023, fatalities from cardiovascular diseases were reported at more than 15,700.

Infectious and parasitic diseases, caused by bacteria and viruses, ranked as the second leading cause of death, with around 16,000 deaths in 2024, down from 20,781 in 2023.

The infant mortality rate in Delhi showed slight improvement, decreasing to 22.4 per 1,000 live births from 23.6 in 2023, indicating a better chance of survival for infants.