The number of deaths in Korea rose to a record high last year, consistent with the graying of the country's population. According to a report released by Statistics Korea on Thursday, around 257,000 people died last year, up 0.8 percent from a year earlier.

The number of deaths per 100,000 people also inched up 0.3 percent from 2010, marking the second straight year the figure has increased. Experts attribute the rise to the number of deaths among people from their 50s onwards.

Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia, was first included among the top 10 causes of death among women last year.