For the first time since February 2020 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic period), there was no excess mortality in the EU as a whole as the indicator fell below the baseline (average number of deaths for the same period in 2016-2019) to -2% in February 2023. In comparison, the excess mortality rate was 8% in February 2022 (39 000 additional deaths), 6% in February 2021 (26 000 excess deaths) and almost -3% in February 2020.

The excess mortality rate remained high in the last quarter of 2022, reaching +12% in October, +9% in November and +19% in December, the highest recorded value of 2022. January 2023 registered a significant drop to +3% from the previous month and then it continued falling to the negative value of February.

This information comes from data on excess mortality published by Eurostat today, based on weekly deaths data collection. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained articles on excess mortality and weekly deaths.

Source dataset: demo_mexrt

In February 2023, two-thirds of the EU countries recorded no excess deaths. Among the countries that registered positive values, Greece and Cyprus recorded the highest excess mortality rates (both +12% above the national monthly average for 2016-19), followed by Portugal with +6%, the Netherlands and Spain, both 4%, Malta with 2% and Italy, Ireland, and Austria, all with +1%. 

The major peaks in excess deaths in the EU were registered in April 2020 (+25%), November 2020 (+40%), April 2021 (+21%) and November 2021 (+27%).

How did the situation evolve in your country?

Although excess mortality was observed during most of the past three years across Europe, the peaks and intensity of outbreaks varied greatly between countries. For further analysis, you can read the Statistics Explained article on excess mortality and use the interactive tool by selecting the country you would like to analyse.