Leading causes of death in the Philippines remained largely consistent in 2025, with ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases ranking as the top three causes, according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority data covering January to December.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has just released the leading five causes of death in the country from January to December 2025. The top three – ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases – mirrored the trends observed in the same period of 2024.
Ischemic heart diseases topped the list as the primary cause of death, with 122,339 cases, which accounted for 19.7 percent of the total deaths across the nation in 2025. Neoplasms were the second leading cause, resulting in 70,668 deaths, representing 11.4 percent of the overall total.
Cerebrovascular diseases secured the third position with 60,947 recorded cases, making up 9.8 percent of the total fatalities.
The remaining two life-snatching diseases were pneumonia and diabetes mellitus. Pneumonia was identified as the fourth leading cause of death, with 43,106 cases (6.9%), while diabetes was ranked fifth, with 37,978 deaths (6.1%).
Ischemic heart disease
Many Filipinos are unaware of what ischemic heart disease entails. The dictionary defines ischemia as an insufficient blood supply to a specific area due to the obstruction of the blood vessels that serve that area. Ischemic indicates that an organ, specifically the heart, is not receiving adequate blood and oxygen.
Ischemic heart disease, which is also referred to as coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease, is a form of heart disease that arises when the heart’s arteries are unable to supply sufficient oxygen-rich blood to the heart itself.
According to the Department of Health, CHD is frequently the result of plaque accumulation, a waxy substance, within the lining of the larger coronary arteries. This accumulation can lead to partial or complete obstruction of blood flow in the major arteries of the heart. Constricted arteries may result in angina, or chest pain and discomfort, for individuals suffering from CHD.
Angina can manifest as a sensation of heaviness, tightness, or aching across the chest. The initial indication that an individual may have CHD is a heart attack, with symptoms that include chest pain or discomfort (angina), weakness, light-headedness, nausea (a feeling of sickness in the stomach), cold sweats, pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders, and shortness of breath.
Neoplasms
You may have heard the term neoplasm before, but its meaning might not be entirely clear to you. A neoplasm is characterized as an abnormal tissue growth that occurs when cells proliferate and divide into an uncontrolled and irreversible fashion. Essentially, a neoplasm is synonymous with a tumor.
Is neoplasm equivalent to cancer? “No, neoplasm is not the same as cancer,” explains Dr. Matthew Wright, M.D., a medical oncologist in General Oncology and Breast Medical Oncology at MD Anderson. “A neoplasm can either be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).”
Generally, benign neoplasms are not a cause for concern and typically do not necessitate treatment unless they produce symptoms that are bothersome to the individual.
Dr. Wright says the following cancer types have the most common sites for malignant neoplasms: breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and skin cancer.
Common symptoms of malignant neoplasms include: a new lump that may or may not be painful; unexplained weight loss; drenching night sweats; persistent unexplained cough; unexplained fatigue; loss of appetite, and bloody stools.
Cerebrovascular disease
This refers to a range of conditions that impact blood circulation to the brain. These conditions encompass stroke, brain aneurysm, brain hemorrhage, and carotid artery disease. Such conditions are considered medical emergencies and require immediate intervention, which may include medications and surgical procedures.
While some people may experience disability or even death, others can achieve a complete recovery. The symptoms associated with cerebrovascular disease differ based on the specific region of the brain that is affected.
Common symptoms include issues with balance, delirium, fainting, loss of vision, visual field deficits or double vision, paralysis or weakness on one side of the body or face, sudden and intense headaches, difficulties in speaking or comprehending speech (aphasia), slurred speech, and sensory alterations on one side of the body or face.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs of one or both lungs. These air sacs may become filled with fluid or pus (purulent material), leading to symptoms such as a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty in breathing. Various organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can lead to pneumonia.
The severity of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. It poses the greatest risk to infants and young children, individuals over the age of 65, and those with pre-existing health conditions or compromised immune systems.
The symptoms can vary in intensity from mild to severe, influenced by factors such as the type of pathogen responsible for the infection, as well as the individual’s age and overall health. Mild symptoms often resemble those of a cold or flu, but they tend to persist for a longer duration.
Newborns and infants may not exhibit any visible signs of infection. Alternatively, they may experience vomiting, fever, cough, restlessness, fatigue, or have trouble breathing and feeding. For certain older adults and individuals with heart failure or chronic lung conditions, pneumonia can rapidly escalate into a life-threatening situation.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term condition that arises when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or when the body is unable to utilize the insulin it generates effectively.
There are two distinct types of diabetes, and the symptoms can manifest abruptly. In the case of type 2 diabetes, symptoms may be subtle and can take several years to become apparent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Common symptoms of diabetes encompass excessive thirst, an increased frequency of urination, blurred vision, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss. Over time, diabetes can lead to damage in the blood vessels of the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. People with diabetes face an elevated risk of various health complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.
Diabetes can also result in irreversible vision impairment due to damage to the blood vessels in the eyes. Several people with diabetes experience foot-related issues stemming from nerve damage and inadequate blood circulation. This can result in foot ulcers and may necessitate amputation.
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