Mortality Rates in France Hit Historic Low in 2023
France's mortality rates reached a historic low in 2023, primarily due to a reduction in COVID-19 deaths.
Key Points
- • France recorded 637,000 deaths in 2023, a decrease of 36,000 from 2022.
- • COVID-19 accounted for 14,000 deaths, down from 41,300 in 2022, marking a major decline in its mortality impact.
- • Cancer remains the leading cause of death, followed by cardio-neurovascular diseases, which represent 27% and 21.4% of deaths, respectively.
- • There are significant regional disparities in mortality rates across France, particularly in overseas departments and rural areas.
In 2023, France reported a historically low mortality rate, with around 637,000 deaths recorded, marking a decrease of 36,000 from the previous year. The standardized mortality rate fell to 828.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, a decline attributed significantly to a drop in COVID-19 fatalities. In 2023, COVID-19 accounted for roughly 14,000 deaths, representing 60% of the overall decrease in mortality compared to 2022 when nearly 41,300 deaths were recorded due to the virus. This shift means COVID-19 has dropped from being the fifth leading cause of death in the previous year to the ninth in 2023.
Cancer remains the primary cause of mortality in France, responsible for 27% of all deaths, while cardio-neurovascular diseases account for 21.4%. Despite a general decline in cancer-related deaths, there are notable increases in specific types, such as pancreatic cancer and lung-related diseases among women. Elise Coudin, director of the epidemiology center at Inserm, noted that the average age at death was 79.3 years, with almost half of the deaths occurring in individuals aged 85 and older.
The regional disparities in mortality rates remain significant. Areas such as Mayotte and Guyane experience particularly high rates, with Mayotte’s rates exceeding the national average by 89%. In contrast, Île-de-France shows a decrease in mortality rates by 15%. The data suggest rural regions often have higher mortality rates compared to urban centers, which can influence public health policies.
Experts emphasize that, while mortality rates have decreased overall, they still exceed pre-pandemic expected levels. This persistent discrepancy suggests that France's health system continues to feel the impacts of the pandemic, with ongoing analysis required to fully understand these trends and their implications for public health policy moving forward.
As the health landscape evolves, public health officials are examining these patterns closely to determine how to address the inequalities identified, particularly in light of continuing challenges posed by various health conditions and demographic factors.