Highlights: INSEE recorded nearly 54,000 more deaths than expected in 2022. A higher excess mortality than in previous years, even as the Covid-19 pandemic has receded in France. Heat waves last summer are responsible for a spike in deaths. Even if the pandemic kills less with 40,000 deaths in 2022 against 60,000 in 2021. Its effects are still being felt. Many people experienced delays in medical care. A strong heat that could be repeated this summer: already, the month of May <> was well above normal season.

INSEE recorded nearly 54,000 more deaths than expected in 2022. A higher excess mortality than in previous years, even as the Covid-19 pandemic has receded in France.

INSEE notes a clear excess mortality in 2022

INSEE recorded nearly 54,000 more deaths than expected in 2022. A higher excess mortality than in previous years, even as the Covid-19 pandemic has receded in France.

The headquarters of INSEE, the National Institute of Statistics, in Paris. THOMAS SAMSON / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

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For INSEE, 675,000 people died in France in 2022, 53,800 more deaths than expected, given the age of the population and trends recorded over the previous 10 or 15 years. The deviation from the forecast (+8.7%) is higher than that seen in 2021 (+6.9%) and 2020 (+7.8%) – the year the Covid epidemic exploded.

Several factors explain excess mortality in 2022. First, there was a strong flu epidemic, according to Sophie Le Minez, head of the demographic and social studies unit at INSEE: "There were two flu episodes, a late one in April and especially a very early one at the end of the year with a peak in excess mortality that was present in December 2022.

An excess mortality that affects the 85 years and over, but also the under 55 years. In question, the delayed consequences of Covid-19. Even if the pandemic kills less with 40,000 deaths in 2022 against 60,000 in 2021. Its effects are still being felt. Cancelled operations, less important screenings... Many people experienced delays in medical care.

But beyond the various epidemics, the heat wave, too, kills more and more. Heat waves last summer are responsible for a spike in deaths. "The summer of 2022 was the 2nd hottest summer observed in France since the beginning of the 2023th century and with excess mortality that was really important," says Sophie Le Minez, joined by RFI. A strong heat that could be repeated this summer: already, the month of May <> was well above normal season.

INSEE notes a clear excess mortality in 2022

INSEE notes a clear excess mortality in 2022

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