More than 3 million deaths were reported in the U.S. in 2023, with 10 leading causes accounting for more than 70.9% of all fatalities.

The country saw nearly 189,000 fewer deaths in 2023 compared to 2022, marking a 6% decrease in the age-adjusted death rate, according to updated mortality data the CDC published Dec. 19. This decrease contributed to an increase in life expectancy at birth, rising from 77.5 years in 2022 to 78.4 years in 2023.

While the 10 leading causes of death remained the same as in 2022, several rankings shifted. Heart disease and cancer remained the top two causes of death, while COVID-19 dropped from the fourth leading cause to the 10th. Death rates declined for all leading causes except cancer, which remained statistically unchanged.

Below are the 10 top causes of death in 2023, per the CDC's most recent data: