These datasets are from the World Health Organization Mortality Database, which is a compilation of mortality data reported annually by Member States from their civil registration systems. No adjustments, for example to account for low reporting coverage, are made to the data reported. However, ICD-codes assigned to deaths are reviewed by WHO to ensure that official codes have been used. If non-official codes are used, they are replaced with the most appropriate official codes. Population size data are derived from what is submitted by countries. For countries that do not submit population data, population estimates from the United Nations Population Division are used.

Data may not be available for the latest years as countries usually submit data to WHO within 12-18 months after the closure of their records for the calendar year. Data checking, compilation and verification takes considerable time at the country level. In addition, mortality data are not available for countries who have not reported data or who submit data that does not use standard ICD codes.

More information is available from Frequently Asked Questions on the Mortality Database.