FHI: Over 2,000 more deaths than expected last year

The so-called excess mortality, however, falls from the previous year, according to calculations in a new report from Institute of Public Health (FHI).

– The excess mortality in 2023 is roughly halved compared to 2022, when our updated analyzes estimate an excess mortality of 11.8 per cent, says specialist director Hanne Løvdal Gulseth at FHI.

In 2023, the excess mortality was 5.6 per cent.

FHI calculates excess mortality by comparing the number of people who die with the number of people who were expected to die.

– There has been increased mortality in all age groups in 2023, with the exception of the group over 90 years of age. For the age groups 20–39 years, 65–79 years and 80–89 years, there was statistically significant excess mortality, states FHI.

Increase among younger people

The year before, excess mortality was primarily to be found in the older age groups.

– It is the first time in the pandemic period that we have seen excess mortality in younger age groups. It is important to note that there are few deaths in this age group, so there is great uncertainty about the results, says Gulseth.

The official death statistics for 2023 are not yet ready, but preliminary results show an increase in the “other causes” category in the 0-39 age group.

– This includes, among other things, congenital and neurological diseases, and deaths related to drugs, injuries, accidents, murder and suicide. We will get more details about the extent and distribution within this group when the statistics on causes of death are published, says the specialist director.

– For the older age groups, we see that covid-19 is still an important cause of excess mortality. It is also worth pointing out that in these age groups we do not see an increase in major cause-of-death groups such as cardiovascular disease, dementia and cancer either, Gulseth continues.

Gender difference

The calculations from FHI indicate excess mortality of 8 per cent for men, but no significant increase for women.

– What are the reasons for this, we do not know as of now. We know that covid-19 associated deaths are more common in men than in women, but here too there will be more detailed figures on causes of death in the annual cause of death statistics from FHI which will be published on 30 May, says specialist director Hanne Løvdal Gulseth in FHI.