The number of heatwave deaths is not usually reflected on death certificates, which makes the matter harder to assess. According to a rapid study, in the summer of 2026, there were 50,391 heat deaths across 854 European cities, with climate change affecting around 65% of those deaths.
How are Heat Deaths accounted for?
To estimate heat deaths, scientists compare various temperatures and deaths with temperatures and deaths in a world that was not affected by climate change. Thus, the estimates are model-based and not actual counts of deaths. Furthermore, national agencies may have different numbers, and cold events continue to claim more lives than heat in Europe.
How does 2026 data compare?
According to ISGlobal, there were 62,775 heat-related deaths in 32 countries in 2024, 50,798 deaths in 2023 and 67,873 deaths in 2022, more than 181,000 over three summers. The data for 2026 was collected only from 854 cities and is not directly comparable to the previous numbers.
Who is more likely to expect heat-related deaths?
Among all age groups old people aged 85 and older have the highest heatwave deaths rates. Furthermore, cities hold heat in, and the top floors are the most likely to have heat accumulation, as our guide on top floor residential homes indicates. Also, our report on extreme heat focuses on the wider crisis.
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