The heatwave in France has been linked to a significant rise in mortality during July, with the country’s Ministry of Health announcing that 1,243 excess deaths were recorded between July 3 and 22, when the country was gripped by unprecedented high temperatures. These figures represent excess mortality — that is, deaths beyond what would normally be expected under typical conditions — and do not mean that all 1,243 deaths were directly caused by the heat. The estimate covers deaths regardless of cause and is based on death certificates issued during the specified period.
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France heatwave: Over-75s account for 75% of excess mortality
The oldest age group has been disproportionately affected, with people aged 75 and over accounting for three-quarters of the excess deaths recorded. The data paints a stark picture of the consequences of an exceptionally hot period for France, with July officially recorded as the hottest month the country has ever experienced, as well as one of the driest. These findings were announced earlier in August by France’s national meteorological service, confirming the extreme nature of the weather conditions that prevailed throughout the month.
France heatwave: 5,764 excess deaths had already been recorded in a previous period
The new toll follows an earlier count by the national public health authority, which reported 5,764 excess deaths during the period from June 17 to July 2. As with the more recent figures, these statistics relate to excess mortality recorded during a period of extremely high temperatures and do not imply that all of those deaths were directly attributable to the heatwave. Together, the two periods paint a deeply troubling picture of the public health burden that accumulated in France across successive waves of intense heat this summer.
Final figures expected this autumn
The French Ministry of Health clarified that the figures released so far remain preliminary. A clearer overall picture of mortality during this summer’s heatwaves will emerge once the processing of all available data is complete. According to the ministry, final statistics covering the entire summer period are expected to be published in October or November.
