Honestly the death rate really doesn't play a large part in most peoples decisions to Climb Everest. It is something you want to do, you know the risks, and you do it. Now if you are talking about a real climbers mountain like Annapurna or K2 then the death rate is a serious issue, those are closer to 30%-40% death rate. Those mountains though will attract a different type of climber as they take real technical skill, those who can climb Everest rarely can climb those other mountains.