Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease caused ~1.4 million deaths globally in 2021.
Contemporary global epidemiology of cirrhosis.
Preenapun Saokhieo et al. · Hepatology communications · 2026
Background
Cirrhosis remains a major global cause of morbidity and mortality, with rapidly evolving etiologic drivers.
~1.4 million deaths
Results
this many people died worldwide from liver disease in 2021
More results
Although age-standardized mortality rates have declined in many regions, the absolute burden continues to rise due to population growth and aging.
More results
High-sociodemographic index (SDI) regions exhibit lower mortality but increasing prevalence, reflecting improved survival and expanding metabolic risk, whereas low- and lower-middle-SDI regions continue to experience high mortality.
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Conclusion
Addressing the global burden of cirrhosis will require sustained public health investment focused on viral hepatitis elimination, alcohol-associated harm reduction, metabolic risk management, and equitable access to early detection and care.