COVID-19 has become the first infectious disease to crack the top five causes of death in Australia since 1970.
This virus was the third leading cause of death in 2022 in a holistic overview, accounting for more than one in 20 deaths over the year or 9859 out of 190,939 deaths, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
It was also among the top ten leading causes of death in a state and territory breakdown, coming in third in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory and ninth in the Northern Territory.
The virus was the sixth leading cause of death in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.
"This marks the first time an infectious disease has appeared in the top five leading causes since 1970, when influenza and pneumonia was ranked fifth," Lauren Moran, ABS head of morality statistics, said.
"Broken down by sex, we saw that COVID-19 was the third-ranked cause of death for males (5484) and the fourth-ranked cause of death for females (4375).
"Those who died from COVID-19 had a high median age at death of 85.8 years."
Dementia – including Alzheimer's – was the leading cause of death for females and the second leading cause for males.
"The top five causes of death in 2022 were ischaemic heart disease, dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), COVID-19, cerebrovascular diseases (strokes) and lung cancer, which when combined, accounted for more than a third of all deaths," Moran said.
There were 20,000 more deaths in 2022 than in 2021.
Ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, lung cancer and suicide were the top five causes of death among Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples in 2022, with COVID-19 the ninth leading cause of death.
In 2022, 3249 people died by suicide, at a rate of 12.5 per 100,000 people.
Men accounted for three-quarters of these deaths.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/two-women-enjoying-korean-bbq-food-right-a-korean-dance-party-in-montreal.jpg?id=61174558&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>One of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-food-festivals" target="_blank">Montreal's most hyped food festivals</a> is coming back this summer, and you'll want to bring more than just your appetite.</p><p> <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/pocha-mtl" target="_blank">POCHA MTL</a>, the Korean street food and K-pop celebration, is returning to Peel Basin in Griffintown from July 24 to 27, and it's shaping up to be one of the liveliest weekends of the season.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLgH54HpaiM/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLgH54HpaiM/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>If you've never been, here's the vibe: sizzling Korean BBQ, deep-fried kogos, dumplings, noodles, drinks, dance circles, music, and a ton of K-pop energy. It's part night market, part street party, and part fan fest, with a merchant zone and food stalls bringing a taste of Seoul to Montreal.</p><p>As for the food, POCHA MTL will feature over 20 vendors serving up all kinds of Korean street eats, from fried chicken and tteokbokki to croffles and yakult drinks. You’ll be able to grab bites from spots like Ganadara Verdun, Katsuya, Cloud 8, Dano, and The Crazy Chickens — with plenty more to discover.</p><span></span><p>This year's cultural programming spans all four days and includes everything from freestyle battles and martial arts demos to vocal performances, open mic stages, and multiple K-pop Random Play Dances. </p><p>Thursday night opens with a full lineup of dance workshops and performances, while Saturday features a full K-pop dance competition followed by taekwondo and open mic sessions into the night. Sunday closes out with live sets from 2KSQUAD and one last crowd-powered dance session.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLyPkLjIsEe/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLyPkLjIsEe/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>The festival is also very pet-friendly. And if you're the proud owner of a Pomeranian, Poodle, or Bichon, you get in for free. Same deal if you show up wearing a traditional Korean hanbok. Kids under 12 and seniors 65+ also don't pay admission.</p><p>Last year's edition drew over 25,000 visitors, and organizers say they're expecting even more this time around. Entry is $4 if you buy online ahead of time or $5 at the gate.</p><h3>POCHA MTL 2025 – Korean Street Food Festival</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLf-ZGoIZxk/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLf-ZGoIZxk/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Where: Peel Basin, Griffintown</p><p><span></span>When: July 24–27, 2025</p><p><span></span>Price: $4 in advance / $5 on-site, Free for kids under 12, seniors 65+, Pomeranian/Poodle/Bichon owners, and anyone wearing a Hanbok</p><p>Tickets: <a href="https://bit.ly/billetterie-pochamtl2025" target="_blank">Buy here</a></p><p>Event info: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1769666063442033" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.asiasie.com/pochamtl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Official site</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
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