Corona Stats Germany: An Overview of Death Figures and Mortality Trends

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mortality rates around the world, including in Germany. According to provisional results from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), approximately 1.06 million people died in Germany in 2022, marking a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year.

One of the notable trends observed during this period is the fluctuation in death figures throughout the year. In September and October, death figures were 11% and 20%, respectively, above the comparative figures of the previous years. This trend continued into the summer months, with death figures significantly exceeding the comparative values in some weeks.

The summer months, which saw heat records, were particularly notable for their high death figures, with a peak of +25% in Week 29 (18-24 July). These high figures can be attributed to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mortality rates.

The continuing high incidence of COVID-19 deaths during this period may also have contributed to the above-average death figures observed in April (+7%) and May (+8%). This effect was delayed into April in 2022, resulting in higher death figures compared to March and February, which were both affected by a decrease in flu activity and the number of deaths.

Despite the increase in mortality rates during this period, Germany's mortality rate was almost back to normal at the beginning of 2022, following exceptionally high death figures at the end of 2021. The rise in death figures during the COVID-19 wave from March to May can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the growing number of older people and an increase in life expectancy.

Interestingly, only about a fifth of the total increase in 2022 can be attributed to the growing number of older people, with the remaining 80% accounted for by other factors. The increasing life expectancy also diminished the ageing effect, which has been a contributing factor to increasing annual numbers of deaths in Germany for about 20 years.

In terms of gender-specific mortality rates, the increase in female deaths (+4.3%) was stronger than for men (+2.5%). Overall, the number of deaths rose by 35,000 compared to the previous year, with death figures in December 2022 being 19% above the comparative figure of the four previous years.

In conclusion, Germany's mortality rates have continued to fluctuate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with varying trends observed during different periods. While there are several factors contributing to these fluctuations, understanding and analyzing these trends is crucial for informing public health strategies and interventions aimed at reducing mortality rates in Germany and beyond.

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