1.1. Contact organisation
Federal Statistical Office FSO
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Federal Statistical Office FSO /Division Health and Social Affairs/Section Health, Causes of Death Statistics
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Federal Statistical Office FSO/Division Health and Social Affairs
Espace dee l'Europe10
CH-2010 Neuchatel
Switzerland
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
26 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
26 June 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
26 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.
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".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
3.2. Classification system
Eurostat's CoD statistics build on standards set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
The regional breakdown is based on the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS 2).
Classification and updates applied by years
| Data year | ICD classification used (ICD-9, ICD-10) (3 or 4 chars) | For ICD-10: updates used |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2012 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2013 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2014 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2015 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2016 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2017 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2018 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2019 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2020 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2021 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2022 | ICD-10 | yes |
| 2023 | ICD-10 | Yes |
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
No additional definition.
3.4.2. Stillbirth definition and characteristics collected
Stillbirth is defined as all births after gestination of 22 weeks (>=22+0), where the child shows no signs of life at birth.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
3.6. Statistical population
Residence in Switzerland at the time of death.
3.6.1. Neonates of non-resident mothers
No.
3.6.2. Non-residents
Non-residents are not included in the national statistics.
3.6.3. Residents dying abroad
Yes.
3.7. Reference area
Switzerland.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time series for most EU-28 countries and EFTA are available from 1994 onwards (Belgium, Germany: 1992, Ireland: 1993, Switzerland: 1969). For some countries data are only available from 1995 (Bulgaria), 1996 (Latvia and Slovakia), 1999 (Cyprus, Poland and Romania) or 2010 (Liechtenstein) onwards.
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.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The unit is number. The data are published in absolute numbers, crude death rate and standadised death rate.
2023.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
CoD data was submitted 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.
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.
CoD data according to this regulation is submitted to Eurostat since reference year 2011.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Eurostat, WHO, National health institutions, scientific research institutes, media.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Law on personal data protection.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
All age groups showing a total mortality of less than 4 cases are considered as confidential. Therefore, any 'confidential' agegroup is grouped with another one to have higher numbers. In practice, this problem mainly occurs for young ages so, either the ages from 0 to 14 years old, or the ages from 0 to 14 and 15 to 24 years old are grouped. The age groups considered as confidential show then the value ':' and the age group '0-14y' (and '15-24y' if needed) shows the sum of all ages before 15 years old (or between 15 and 24 years old). In addition, special measures for ensuring confidentiality may be taken for small countries.
For stillbirth and neonatal figures, no breakdown by parity is displayed to ensure confidentiality.
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Annual publication of COD data in Switzerland.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Annual diffusion of tables and ad-hoc publications.
In the form of absolute figures per 100'000 residents (permanent resident population at mid-year according to the statistics on the annual state of the population - STATPOP since 2010).
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
No public accessible online COD database, but it is planned to be implemented in future.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
The stistics of the causes of death are available and accessible on the Federal statistical office website.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
No dissementation of microdata.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Switzerland delivers COD annual data to the WHO.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
No.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Documents are available in causes of death section.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Documents for COD are avilable in CIRCABC, causes of death section.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality of COD data is subject to the way in which the information on causes of deathe is reported and classified in each country. FSO follows the standard rules of ICD-10 for coding causes of death data. The COD data are relatively homogeneous among European countries.
11.1. Quality assurance
The causes of death are based on a regulation, which defines scope, definitions of variables and characteristics of the data.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
A quality assessment of Eurostat's COD statistics was organized in May and June 2008. In that framework, a questionnaire was sent to Eurostat's partners for COD statistics and a user survey was set up on Eurostat website, for which 25 partners and 34 users replied. A questionnaire was also filled by responsible people of COD statistics in Eurostat.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
In Switzerland, the main users of COD data are research institutes, universities, cantonal statistical offices, health observatories, public government agencies, tumor registries, media and citizens at Swiss and international levels
Users' needs was not formally assessed in Switzerland. Users' feedbacks and requests are taken into account as far as possible.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The COD users' satisfaction was not formally assessed in Switzerland. Users' feedbacks and requests are taken into account as far as possible.
12.3. Completeness
All data received are disseminated on Eurostat's website if the consistency of the dataset is good.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
1. For mandatory variables:
100%
2. For voluntary variables:
100%
3. For additional variables:
- External CoD
Not available
- Place of occurrence for external CoD
Not available
- Activity for external CoD
Not available
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Good.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable. Data collection is from administrative sources.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
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
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
| Year | Number of months between the end of the reference year and the publication at national level |
|---|---|
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 18 |
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
From data collection with reference year 2011 onwards, Eurostat asks for the submission of final data at national and regional level and related metadata for the year N at N+24 months, according to the Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 328/2011, Article 4.
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 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 18 |
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Coding and transmission are equal for all regions.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
None.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
None.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable, only annual data are available.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
COD data and Demographic data are based on a common database. There is no inconsistency.
The cost and burden of the data collection is reduced by using validation and dissemination IT tools
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Individual death cases received from the Swiss civil state registers (Complete geographical coverage and COD provided individually (paper or electronically by the reporter (Physician) in parallel.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
On a ongoing basis.
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable.
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 | |||||||||
| 2012 | |||||||||
| 2013 | |||||||||
| 2014 | |||||||||
| 2015 | |||||||||
| 2016 | |||||||||
| 2017 | |||||||||
| 2018 | |||||||||
| 2019 | |||||||||
| 2020 | |||||||||
| 2021 | |||||||||
| 2022 | not available | not available | Not available | for about 4-5% % of cases we sent queries to certifying doctors | For 85% of quereies we recieve answer by certifying doctors | 80% of the cases for which we send query. | Not available | ||
| 2023 | not available | not available | not available | For about 4-5% % of cases we sent queries to certifying doctor | For 85% of quereies we recieve answer by certifying doctors | 80% of the cases for which we send query. | 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 | ||
| 2012 | ||
| 2013 | ||
| 2014 | ||
| 2015 | ||
| 2016 | ||
| 2017 | ||
| 2018 | ||
| 2019 | Partial use of IRIS | |
| 2020 | Partial use of IRIS | |
| 2021 | Partial use of IRIS | |
| 2022 | Partial use of IRIS | |
| 2023 | We have stopped using IRIS |
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 | |||||
| 2012 | |||||
| 2013 | |||||
| 2014 | |||||
| 2015 | |||||
| 2016 | |||||
| 2017 | |||||
| 2018 | |||||
| 2019 | |||||
| 2020 | yes | Partial use of IRIS | |||
| 2021 | yes | ||||
| 2022 | yes | Own system (SDAP) | Own system (SDAP) | Own system (SDAP) | Partial use of IRIS |
| 2023 | Own system (SDAP) | Own system (SDAP) | Own system (SDAP) | Stopped partial use of IRIS |
18.3.4. Availability of multiple cause
| Data year | Information stored in the national CoD database, UC (Underlying cause) or MC (Multiple cause) |
|---|---|
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | MC |
| 2021 | MC |
| 2022 | MC |
| 2023 | MC |
18.3.5. Stillbirths and Neonatal certificates
There is a special death certificate for stillbirth.
18.4. Data validation
The system of causes of death registration is directly linked to the system of civil state registration. All deaths occuring in Switzerland (where you find an identifyable dead body) and all deaths of Swiss residents occuring abroad (reported according to the regulations of the International Commission on Civil Status (ICCS; in French-language: Commission Internationale de l'État CiviI - CIEC)) are registred.
18.4.1. Coding
Description of coding procedure (central level, distributed among other bodies, etc.):
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):
We have developed specific programs for the data cross-check and consolidation, we also have a query system do correct mistakes by certifiers or coders
Description of the measures taken in order to solve detected errors:
A well-devloped data control and cross-check with other partners such as cancer registries, ministry of health (for diseases of obligatory notification) and certifyings doctors.
Coding performed by a certifier:
Coding are performed by professional coding staff.
Estimation of the percentage of autopsy from which information is available for coding: Not available.
Description of double coding exercises and rate of codification errors for underlying cause of death:
We have developed a Quality Management System for the causes of death coding practice.
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 | ||||
| 2012 | ||||
| 2013 | ||||
| 2014 | ||||
| 2015 | ||||
| 2016 | ||||
| 2017 | ||||
| 2018 | ||||
| 2019 | ||||
| 2020 | ||||
| 2021 | 5,9 | 4,9 | 0,6 | 0,2 |
| 2022 | 6,4 | 5,5 | 0,8 | 0,2 |
| 2023 | 6,3 | 5,5 | 0,8 | 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 | |||||
| 2012 | |||||
| 2013 | |||||
| 2014 | |||||
| 2015 | |||||
| 2016 | |||||
| 2017 | |||||
| 2018 | |||||
| 2019 | |||||
| 2020 | |||||
| 2021 | |||||
| 2022 | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2023 | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
18.4.4. Validation of the coverage
The system of causes of death registration is directly linked to the system of civil state registration. All deaths occuring in Switzerland (where you find an identifiable dead body) and all deaths of swiss residents occuring abroad (reported according to the regulations of the International Commission on Civil Status (ICCS; in French-language: Commission Internationale de l'État CiviI - CIEC)) are registred.
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
No adjustement.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No comment.
Data on causes of death (CoD) provide information on mortality patterns and form a major element of public health information.
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".
CoD data are derived from death certificates. The information provided in the medical certificate of cause of death is mapped to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).
26 June 2025
Concepts and definitions are described in the Commission regulation (EU) No 328/2011 in articles 2 and 3.
The statistical units are the deceased persons and the stillborns, respectively.
Residence in Switzerland at the time of death.
Switzerland.
2023.
Good.
The unit is number. The data are published in absolute numbers, crude death rate and standadised death rate.
Not applicable.
Individual death cases received from the Swiss civil state registers (Complete geographical coverage and COD provided individually (paper or electronically by the reporter (Physician) in parallel.
Annual.
| Year | Number of months between the end of the reference year and the publication at national level |
|---|---|
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 18 |
Coding and transmission are equal for all regions.
None.
