1.1. Contact organisation
Institute of Hygiene, Lithuania
1.2. Contact organisation unit
State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Studentų g. 45A, LT-08107 Vilnius
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
18 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
28 December 2023
2.3. Metadata last update
18 June 2025
3.1. Data description
Data on causes of death (COD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information. The objective is to produce and provide statistical information on the causes of death by sex, age, place of residence. COD data are derived from Medical death certificates and Medical perinatal death certificates. The medical certification of death is an obligation in Lithuania. COD data refer to the underlying cause which – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) – is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
The causes of death are classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Since April 2011 ICD-10-AM (Australian Modification) is using in Lithuania on a national level, but for Eurostat and the WHO, code conversion is made to be in-line with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth edition (ICD-10).
Annual national data at national level are publicated in absolute numbers, crude death rates and standartised death rates.
3.2. Classification system
| Data year | ICD revision used (ICD-8, ICD-9, ICD-10) | For ICD-10: updates used |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ICD-9 | |
| 1991 | ICD-9 | |
| 1992 | ICD-9 | |
| 1993 | ICD-9 | |
| 1994 | ICD-9 | |
| 1995 | ICD-9 | |
| 1996 | ICD-9 | |
| 1997 | ICD-9 | |
| 1998 | ICD-10 | 1992 |
| 1999 | ICD-10 | 1992 |
| 2000 | ICD-10 | 1992 |
| 2001 | ICD-10 | 1992 |
| 2002 | ICD-10 | 1992 |
| 2003 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2004 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2005 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2006 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2007 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2008 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2009 | ICD-10 | 2001 |
| 2010 | ICD-10 | 2009 |
| 2011 | ICD-10 | 2010 |
| 2012 | ICD-10 | 2010 |
| 2013 | ICD-10 | 2010 |
| 2014 | ICD-10 | 2010 |
| 2015 | ICD-10 | 2013 |
| 2016 | ICD-10 | 2015 |
| 2017 | ICD-10 | 2016 |
| 2018 | ICD-10 | 2016 |
| 2019 | ICD-10 | 2016 |
| 2020 | ICD-10 | 2019 |
| 2021 | ICD-10 | 2019 |
| 2022 | ICD-10 | 2019 |
| 2023 | ICD-10 | 2019 |
3.3. Coverage - sector
Public Health.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
3.4.1. National definition used for usual residency
Usual residence means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage.
The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of a specific geographical area:
- those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time;
- those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
Resident population means all persons having their usual residence in the Republic of Lithuania at the reference time.
3.4.2. Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected
Stillbirth means foetal death, namely death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy. Death is indicated by the fact that after such separation from its mother the foetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles.
Stillbirths having weight from 500g and gestational age from 22 completed weeks are included.
Birth weight, gestational age, and crown-heel length are collected.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
3.6. Statistical population
The survey covers the deaths of usual residents of the Republic of Lithuania and the stillbirths born in Lithuania whose parents (or at least one of them) are usual residents of Lithuania or their origins are unknown.
3.6.1. Neonates of non-resident mothers
The survey covers the deaths neonates of non-resident mothers whose father is a permanent resident of Lithuania or their origins are unknown.
3.6.2. Non-residents
In the database of The State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes are collected cases of death of persons who died in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania and citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who died abroad and their causes. Lithuanian causes of death statistics cover only all deaths of the residents of Lithuania.
3.6.3. Residents dying abroad
Data causes of deaths covers residents who died abroad.
3.7. Reference area
Entire territory of the Republic of Lithuania.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Since 1994.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit is number.
Data refer to the calendar year (i.e. all deaths occurring during the year).
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Countries submitted data to Eurostat on the basis of a gentleman's agreement established in the framework Eurostat's Working Group on "Public Health Statistics" until data with reference year 2010. The first data submitted according to the Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 is data with reference year 2011.
A Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work (EC) No 1338/2008 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 16 December 2008. This Regulation is the framework of the data collection on the domain.
Within the context of this framework Regulation, a Regulation on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death (EU) No 328/2011 was signed by the European Parliament and the Council on 5 April 2011.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Commission Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 of 5 April implementing Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
Republic of Lithuania Law on Official Statistics and State Data Governance(only in Lithuanian).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Data Protection Regulation of State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes (only in Lithuanian).
8.1. Release calendar
Statistical information is published in accordance with an approved release calendars.
8.2. Release calendar access
The Official Statistics Calendar is placed on the Official Statistics Portal of Statistics Lithuania.
Institute of Hygiene Health statistics release calendar (only in Lithuanian).
8.3. Release policy - user access
In Lithuania statistical information is published on the Institue of Hygiene Internet Site and on the Official Statistics Portal on the Database of Indicators (Population and social statistics -> Population -> Mortality->Deaths by cause of death) (data available in Lithuanian and English).
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Regular news releases on Official Statistics Portal and Institute of Hygiene and irregular press releases.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Annual statistical yearbooks:
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Database of Indicators (Population and social statistics -> Population ->Mortality).
Portal of health statistics.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
All causes of death are stored in database. A special extraction can be made on request.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
World Health Organization database.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work;
Commission Regulation (EU) No 328/2011 of 5 April implementing Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and the Council on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on causes of death;
Methodological information of The State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes (only in Lithuanian);
Medical death certificate forms are based on the template provided by the World Health Organization (WHO);
According to the WHO guidelines and the Eurostat recommendations were prepared the methodological manual of certification of cause of death „Instruction of filling medical death certificate“ (only in Lithuanian);
The cause of death is classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Since April 2011 ICD-10-AM (Australian Modification) is using in Lithuania on a national level, but for Eurostat and the WHO, code conversion is made to be in-line with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth edition (ICD-10);
Underlying causes of death are defined according to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems rules – ICD-10 Vol.2.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
0.9
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice. Underlying causes of death are defined following the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems rules – ICD-10 Vol. 2 and the recommended WHO's updates are applied.
Quality policy is defined in the State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes provisions (only in Lithuanian).
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice. Primary control of data entry is conducted at the State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes of Institute of Hygiene: completeness of mandatory data, data match with formats and defined logics. Data validation with several institutions - Register of Residents and State Data Agency.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Quality of death statistics is evaluated using international indicators of quality of death statistics.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of statistical information are State and municipal authorities and agencies, international organizations, the media, research and business communities.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Users satisfaction survey for 2022 (only in Lithuanian).
12.3. Completeness
All indicators established by the legislation are published and available.
All mandatory data for Lithuania is provided in full detail and in timely manner.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
1. For mandatory variables:
All mandatory variables required by the Commission regulation n°328/2011 are transmitted to the European Commission.
2. For voluntary variables:
The State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes are not able to provide age of mother variables concerning stillbirth data. Age of mother variable falls into the regulation scope of the Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data of Republic of Lithuania.
3. For additional variables:
- External CoD.
are transmitted to the European Commission;
- Place of occurrence for external CoD.
are transmitted to the European Commission;
- Activity for external CoD.
are transmitted to the European Commission.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Statistical information is compiled on the basis of administrative data, so the overall accuracy of the data is high.
13.2. Sampling error
A continuous statistical survey based on administrative data is carried out, no sample is taken.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Statistical survey is conducted based on administrative data. Accuracy of statistical data depends on the quality of the administrative sources.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Errors due to non-response are not calculated, all necessary data for calculations are obtained from administrative sources.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
All data used for calculations are obtained from administrative sources, the non-response rate of a statistical unit is not calculated.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Item non-response rate is considered to be equal to 0 per cent, all necessary item values are obtained from administrative sources.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Final micro data are provided to Eurostat for the year T (“T + 18 months“).
National provisional annual statistical data is published at the middle of May, final statistical data – at the beginning of August after the end of the reference year. Provisional monthly statistical information of a reference month is published after 45 days from the end of the reference month.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
Statistical information is published in accordance with the approved Official Statistics Calendar and Release Calendar of Health Statistics. In case of delay, users are notified in advance by indicating the reason and a new date of publication.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
| Reference year | Time between the end of the reference year and the delivery of final data to Eurostat |
|---|---|
| 2011 | T (T+24 months) (06 December 2013) |
| 2012 | T (T+22 months) (07 October 2014) |
| 2013 | T (T+23 months) (10 November 2015) |
| 2014 | T (T+18 months) (10 June 2016) |
| 2015 | T (T+18 months) (28 June 2017) |
| 2016 | T (T+18 months) (12 June 2018) |
| 2017 | T (T+15 months) (14 March 2019) |
| 2018 | T (T+10 months) (07 October 2019) |
| 2019 | T (T+12 months) (08 January 2021) |
| 2020 | T (T+11 months) (21 December 2021) |
| 2021 | T (T+9 months) (29 September 2022) |
| 2022 | T (T+12 months) (22 December 2023) |
| 2023 | T (T+18 months) (19 June 2025) |
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistical information is comparable among the European Union Member States.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The comparability of the data over time is checked before dissemination. It could be that in few categories of causes of death, for which not all EU Member States reported data, the EU average is not be strictly comparable over time due to different composition of countries.
Note that due to the fact that 2011 data is the first data collection with a legal basis (and few changes in the requested variables and breakdowns), the data between 1994-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable (In part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Since 1994.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Indicator values are reconciled with the statistical survey on the determination of the number and composition of permanent residents.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Monthly and annual statistical indicators are coherent.
Administrative data are used. No response burden is caused.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Revisions of statistical indicators are performed in accordance with the Rules of Official Statistical Information Publication and Revision, approved by Order No V-49 of 20 March 2025 of the Director of Institute of Hygiene (only in Lithuanian).
17.2. Data revision - practice
Users are informed about planned revisions in advance in the Calendar of Planned Revisions of Health Statistical Information. As legal acts change, revisions of statistical indicators are carried out in case of significant errors. Users are immediately informed about their results and changes made.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
The difference between annual provisional and final data is insignificant: usually absolute numbers do not change, rates could be slightly different because of provisional and final number of population is used.
18.1. Source data
The statistics on causes of death are based on the information provided on medical death certificates. Medical death certificate form based on the template provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The medical certification of death is an obligation. All deaths of residents and non-residents are collected. Database of State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes is the main data source of causes of death statistics. Lithuanian causes of death statistics covers all deaths of the residents of Lithuania.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly, annual.
18.3. Data collection
| 1. Automated Coding | ||
|---|---|---|
| Data year | a) Did you use any form of automated coding? [Yes / No] | b) If yes, please indicate the system used (IRIS, MICAR, ACME, STYX, MIKADO, others) |
| 1990 | No | |
| 1991 | No | |
| 1992 | No | |
| 1993 | No | |
| 1994 | No | |
| 1995 | No | |
| 1996 | No | |
| 1997 | No | |
| 1998 | No | |
| 1999 | No | |
| 2000 | No | |
| 2001 | No | |
| 2002 | No | |
| 2003 | No | |
| 2004 | No | |
| 2005 | No | |
| 2006 | No | |
| 2007 | No | |
| 2008 | No | |
| 2009 | No | |
| 2010 | No | |
| 2011 | No | |
| 2012 | No | |
| 2013 | No | |
| 2014 | No | |
| 2015 | No | |
| 2016 | No | |
| 2017 | No | |
| 2018 | No | |
| 2019 | No | |
| 2020 | No | |
| 2021 | No | |
| 2022 | No | |
| 2023 | No | |
| 2. Underlying cause of death selection and modification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data year | a) Only manual selection of underlying cause | b) Manual with ACME decision tables (if yes, which version of ACME) | c) ACS utilising ACME decision tables (if yes, which version of ACME) | d) Own system (ACS without ACME) | e) Comments |
| 1990 | Yes | ||||
| 1991 | Yes | ||||
| 1992 | Yes | ||||
| 1993 | Yes | ||||
| 1994 | Yes | ||||
| 1995 | Yes | ||||
| 1996 | Yes | ||||
| 1997 | Yes | ||||
| 1998 | Yes | ||||
| 1999 | Yes | ||||
| 2000 | Yes | ||||
| 2001 | Yes | ||||
| 2002 | Yes | ||||
| 2003 | Yes | ||||
| 2004 | Yes | ||||
| 2005 | Yes | 2005 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2006 | Yes | 2005 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2007 | Yes | 2005 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2008 | Yes | 2008 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2009 | Yes | 2008 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2010 | Yes | 2008 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2011 | Yes | 2009 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2012 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2013 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2014 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2015 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2016 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2017 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2018 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2019 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2020 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2021 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2022 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2023 | Yes | IRIS used as control check | |||
| 3. Information available in the national COD database | |
|---|---|
| Data year | Which information do you store in your national COD database - the underlying cause (UC) only or multiple causes (MC)? |
| 1990 | UC |
| 1991 | UC |
| 1992 | UC |
| 1993 | UC |
| 1994 | UC |
| 1995 | UC |
| 1996 | UC |
| 1997 | UC |
| 1998 | UC |
| 1999 | UC |
| 2000 | UC |
| 2001 | UC |
| 2002 | UC |
| 2003 | UC |
| 2004 | UC |
| 2005 | UC |
| 2006 | UC |
| 2007 | UC |
| 2008 | UC |
| 2009 | UC |
| 2010 | UC+MC |
| 2011 | UC+MC |
| 2012 | UC+MC |
| 2013 | UC+MC |
| 2014 | UC+MC |
| 2015 | UC+MC |
| 2016 | UC+MC |
| 2017 | UC+MC |
| 2018 | UC+MC |
| 2019 | UC+MC |
| 2020 | UC+MC |
| 2021 | UC+MC |
| 2022 | UC+MC |
| 2023 | UC+MC |
4. Stillbirths and Neonates: Do you have a different death certificate or do you code these data differently from other deaths? If yes, how?
- Stillbirths: For stillbirths and neonates aged less than 7 days, a Perinatal death certificate is used.
- Neonates: For neonates, 7-27 days, used a Medical death certificate.
18.3.1. Certification
Table on certification (Percentage)
| Year |
All doctors (certifiers) trained in the certification | All doctors (certifiers - pathologists or others doctors) trained in the post-mortem examination (autopsies) | Certificates filled by persons who attended a course on certification or post-mortem examination | Death certificates that are queried (only queries related to medical part of the death certificate should be included) | Replies received for queries sent | Deaths where the underlying cause is changed as a result of the query | Death certificates with incorrect sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. |
| 2012 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | Not available. |
| 2013 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.4 | Not available. |
| 2014 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.6 | Not available. |
| 2015 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | Not available. |
| 2016 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | Not available. |
| 2017 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.0 | Not available. |
| 2018 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.8 | Not available. |
| 2019 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 | Not available. |
| 2020 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | Not available. |
| 2021 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | Not available. |
| 2022 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | Not available. |
| 2023 | Not available. | Not available. | Not available. | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | Not available. |
18.3.2. Automated Coding
| Data year | Use of any form of automated coding | System used (IRIS, MICAR, ACME, STYX, MIKADO, others) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | No | |
| 2012 | No | |
| 2013 | No | |
| 2014 | No | |
| 2015 | No | |
| 2016 | No | |
| 2017 | No | |
| 2018 | No | |
| 2019 | No | |
| 2020 | No | |
| 2021 | No | |
| 2022 | No | |
| 2023 | No |
18.3.3. Underlying cause of death
| Data year | Only manual selection of underlying cause | Manual with ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) | ACS utilising ACME decision tables (if yes, version of ACME) | Own system (ACS without ACME) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Yes | 2009 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2012 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2013 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2014 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2015 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2016 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2017 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2018 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2019 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2020 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2021 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2022 | Yes | 2011 | ACME used as control check | ||
| 2023 | Yes | IRIS used as control check |
18.3.4. Availability of multiple cause
| Data year | Information stored in the national CoD database, UC (Underlying cause) or MC (Multiple cause) |
|---|---|
| 2011 | UC+MC |
| 2012 | UC+MC |
| 2013 | UC+MC |
| 2014 | UC+MC |
| 2015 | UC+MC |
| 2016 | UC+MC |
| 2017 | UC+MC |
| 2018 | UC+MC |
| 2019 | UC+MC |
| 2020 | UC+MC |
| 2021 | UC+MC |
| 2022 | UC+MC |
| 2023 | UC+MC |
18.3.5. Stillbirths and Neonatal certificates
For stillbirths and neonates aged less than 7 days, a Perinatal death certificate is used. For neonates, 7-27 days, used a Medical death certificate.
18.4. Data validation
Data validation with several institutions - Register of Residents and State Data Agency.
18.4.1. Coding
Description of coding procedure (central level, distributed among other bodies, etc.):
Coding is carried out at a central level. The specialists of State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes manually code multiple causes of deaths and select code of the underlying cause of death which is defined as “the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury”. Causes of death are classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10-AM, Australian Modification) on a national level, but for Eurostat and WHO converted codes are provided to be in-line with ICD-10. Underlying causes of death are defined in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems rules – ICD-10 Vol. 2. Automated Classification of Medical Entities (ACME) Decision tables are used to check the selection of the underlying cause.
Description of the procedures to detect errors (i.e.errors such as potential inconsistency in the death certificate or error due to mistake when filling the deaths certificates):
The State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes database contains an automatic quality of data transcription assurance system which checks cause of death against the gender and age of the deceased.
Description of the measures taken in order to solve detected errors:
Visual control of register data, logic control during data entry process, computerised control after data entry.
Coding performed by a certifier:
Physicians issue medical death certificates, they do not perform coding of multiple causes of death.
Estimation of the percentage of autopsy from which information is available for coding:
Forensic medical experts and pathologist performed an average of 13 percent of autopsies of all deceased per year during 2019-2023. The underlying cause of death is determined after autopsy.
Description of double coding exercises and rate of codification errors for underlying cause of death:
No double coding exercises performed.
18.4.2. Unspecified CoD code
ICD codes for the underlying cause (% of the Total)
| Year | Unspecified CoD (for ICD10: R00-R99 codes, for ICD9: 780-790 codes) | Unknown CoD (for ICD10: R98-R99 codes, for ICD9: 799.9, 798.9, 798.2 codes) | Deaths due to senility (for ICD10: R54 code, for ICD9: 797 code) | Deaths due to exposure to unspecified factor (for ICD10: X59 code, ICD9: 928.9 code) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.02 | 0.2 |
| 2012 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.01 | 0.2 |
| 2013 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.02 | 0.1 |
| 2014 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.03 | 0.2 |
| 2015 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.01 | 0.2 |
| 2016 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.02 | 0.2 |
| 2017 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.02 | 0.1 |
| 2018 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.003 | 0.1 |
| 2019 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.003 | 0.1 |
| 2020 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.002 | 0.1 |
| 2021 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.006 | 0.1 |
| 2022 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.009 | 0.2 |
| 2023 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.005 | 0.2 |
18.4.3. Unknown country or region
Unknown country/region (%) for residents and non-residents who died in the country.
| Year | Residents | Non-residents | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown residency (NUTS2) | Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) | Unknown residency (country) | Unknown residency (NUTS2) | Unknown occurrence (NUTS2) | |
| 2011 | 0.1 | 0.09 | 28.1 | 100 | 93.8 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0.08 | 43.3 | 100 | 6.7 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0.08 | 47.5 | 100 | 32.5 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0.06 | 35.3 | 100 | 29.4 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0.06 | 37.1 | 100 | 5.5 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0.07 | 43.7 | 100 | 19.6 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0.02 | 52.6 | 100 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0.14 | 55.1 | 100 | 6.1 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0.05 | 45.9 | 100 | 4.1 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0.02 |
39.7 | 100 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0.01 |
75.2 | 100 | 0.6 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0.02 |
83.2 | 100 | 0.6 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0.04 |
96.7 | 100 | 0 |
18.4.4. Validation of the coverage
From Resident Register The State Register of Death Cases and their Causes receive the deceased name, surname, sex, nationality, date of death, place of death, place of residence. From the State Data Agency The State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes receive „resident or non-resident“ attribute for a deceased person.
18.5. Data compilation
Causes of death survey methodology (only in Lithuanian).
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Statistical information for the reference year is compared with the previous year. If missing values are detected, errors are corrected.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
None.
Data on causes of death (COD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information. The objective is to produce and provide statistical information on the causes of death by sex, age, place of residence. COD data are derived from Medical death certificates and Medical perinatal death certificates. The medical certification of death is an obligation in Lithuania. COD data refer to the underlying cause which – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) – is "the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury".
The causes of death are classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Since April 2011 ICD-10-AM (Australian Modification) is using in Lithuania on a national level, but for Eurostat and the WHO, code conversion is made to be in-line with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth edition (ICD-10).
Annual national data at national level are publicated in absolute numbers, crude death rates and standartised death rates.
18 June 2025
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
The statistical unit are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
The survey covers the deaths of usual residents of the Republic of Lithuania and the stillbirths born in Lithuania whose parents (or at least one of them) are usual residents of Lithuania or their origins are unknown.
Entire territory of the Republic of Lithuania.
Data refer to the calendar year (i.e. all deaths occurring during the year).
Statistical information is compiled on the basis of administrative data, so the overall accuracy of the data is high.
The unit is number.
Causes of death survey methodology (only in Lithuanian).
The statistics on causes of death are based on the information provided on medical death certificates. Medical death certificate form based on the template provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The medical certification of death is an obligation. All deaths of residents and non-residents are collected. Database of State Register of Death Cases and Their Causes is the main data source of causes of death statistics. Lithuanian causes of death statistics covers all deaths of the residents of Lithuania.
Annual.
Final micro data are provided to Eurostat for the year T (“T + 18 months“).
National provisional annual statistical data is published at the middle of May, final statistical data – at the beginning of August after the end of the reference year. Provisional monthly statistical information of a reference month is published after 45 days from the end of the reference month.
Statistical information is comparable among the European Union Member States.
The comparability of the data over time is checked before dissemination. It could be that in few categories of causes of death, for which not all EU Member States reported data, the EU average is not be strictly comparable over time due to different composition of countries.
Note that due to the fact that 2011 data is the first data collection with a legal basis (and few changes in the requested variables and breakdowns), the data between 1994-2010 and starting from 2011 are not always comparable (In part due to the different groupings of causes of deaths). Moreover time series for data on stillbirths starts in 2011 and no information on previous data is available.
