We reviewed the literature to give an overview over the mortality among dairy cows in countries with a relatively intensive dairy production. A total of 19 studies focussing on dairy cow mortality were identified. Information about objectives, measures of mortality, sample sizes, study designs, causes of death and risk factors from these studies is presented and discussed. Additionally, recommendations for future recordings of mortality that will enable better possibilities for comparison of study results, generalization of results from a study population to a larger population and meta-analysis are given.