Based on the available 2017 data, around 5 100 deaths of European Union (EU) residents were caused by accidental drowning and submersion.
Among the EU Member States, in 2017, the highest rate was recorded in Latvia, with 5.6 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants, followed by Lithuania (4.8 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants), Estonia (3.2) and Romania (3.0).
At the opposite end of the scale, Luxembourg did not record any death caused by accidental drowning and submersion, while the lowest rates were observed in Malta (0.4), Italy and the Netherlands (both 0.5).
Source datasets: hlth_cd_asdr2 (rate) and hlth_cd_aro (absolute number)
In the vast majority of countries with available 2017 figures, the death rates were higher among men than among women. The difference between the rates of deaths among men and women was the most significant in Latvia (9.8 for men and 2.0 for women) and in Lithuania (8.5 for men and 1.9 for women).
These statistics on accidental drowning and submersion are based on the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) and concern deaths that occur either in, or following, a fall into a bath-tub, swimming pool or natural water such as a lake, open sea, a river or a stream. In order to make comparisons between countries, the number of deaths have been standardised to take into account their different sizes and age structures.
For more information on Eurostat's health statistics, take a look at the overview page accessible here.
Note: The European Union (EU) includes 27 EU Member States. The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020. Further information is published here.
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