By Mariela Angella Oladive
Pneumonia was the leading cause of death in Western Visayas in 2024, claiming 4,095 lives, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Regional Statistical Services Office VI (PSA-RSSO 6).
Acute myocardial infarction ranked second with 4,004 deaths, followed by hypertensive heart disease with 2,131.
Other ill-defined and unspecified causes accounted for 1,455 additional deaths.
The region recorded 35,180 registered deaths in 2024, a 0.3% increase from the 35,075 deaths logged in 2023.
Deaths were concentrated among older residents: those aged 70 to 84 recorded the highest number at 11,306, while individuals 85 and older accounted for 5,748.
Male deaths continued to outnumber female deaths across the region, with 19,582 males and 15,598 females recorded — a sex ratio of 125 male deaths for every 100 female deaths.
Among provinces and highly urbanized cities, Iloilo province registered the highest number of deaths at 15,416.
Capiz followed with 5,845 deaths, Antique recorded 4,542, Aklan logged 4,413, Iloilo City posted 3,689, and Guimaras registered 1,275.
Western Visayas accounted for one in every 20 deaths registered nationwide in 2024.
The PSA data also showed that 129 non-Filipino citizens died in the region during the year.
The PSA regularly releases civil registration and vital statistics data to monitor demographic and public health trends, which serve as key references for policymakers and local government units planning health interventions and social services.
