ATHENS –
The number of deaths in Greece during the first 22 weeks of 2024 (1/1/2024– 2/6/2024) amounted to 52,531 in total (26,599 men and 25,932 women), the independent statistical authority ELSTAT reported on July 11. During the corresponding period of 2023 (2/1/2023 – 4/6/2023) they had amounted to 56,337 (28,447 men and 27,890 women), representing a decrease of 3,806 deaths (-6.8%).
A decrease of 4,588 deaths (-8.0%) was recorded compared to the average of the first 22 weeks’ cumulative deaths for the six-year period 2018 – 2023 (57,119 deaths). The corresponding annual rates of change for the period 2018 – 2023 amount to -12.4% in 2023 compared to 2022 (64,293), 9.8% in 2022 compared to 2021 (58,556), 5.2% in 2021 compared to 2020 (55,659), -0.4% in 2020 compared to 2019 (55,869) and 7.4% in 2019 compared to 2018 (52,001).
According to ELSTAT, for the first 22 weeks of 2024 compared to the corresponding period of 2023, a decrease of deaths was observed for all weeks, except for the 21st (20/5/2024 – 26/5/2024) and the 19th (6/5/2024 – 12/5/2024) week, which showed an increase of 3.6% and 2.3%, respectively. The most notable decreases were observed for the 7th (12/2/2024 – 18/2/2024), the 9th (26/2/2024 – 3/3/2024) and the 8th week (19/2/2024 – 25/2/2024), by 18.2%, 13.7% and 12.9%, respectively.
As regards the breakdown of data by age group, during the first 22 weeks of 2024, compared to the corresponding period of 2023, a decrease of deaths is observed in most age groups, with the highest decreases, in absolute figures, being observed for the age groups 80 to 84 (1,156 deaths), 85 to 89 (1,044 deaths) and over 90 (812 deaths).
As regards the breakdown of data by place of usual residence of the deceased person, during the first 22 weeks of 2024 compared to the corresponding period of 2023, a decrease of deaths was observed in all regions of the country. The most notable decreases, in absolute figures, were observed in the regions of Attiki, Central Macedonia and Western Greece, by 1,224, 539 and 402 deaths, respectively.
[ANA-MPA]
