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November 2024 recorded 22,000 fewer excess deaths in the EU than in November 2023. Malta, Romania, and Slovakia recorded negative excess mortality rates.
ADVERTISEMENTExcess mortality in the EU decreased to 5.0% in November 2024 according to the latest Eurostat figures, even as health systems across the region continue to face challenges. This decrease represents 22,000 fewer excess deaths compared to November 2023.Eurostat’s excess mortality is the number of deaths that occur above and beyond what would be expected in a given time. It is measured by comparing the number of deaths during a certain period to the average number of deaths for each month from 2016 to 2019.Seven EU countries reported negative excess mortality rates, with Malta recording the lowest at -16.1%, followed by Romania at -12.3%, and Slovakia at -4.9%. In contrast, 20 EU countries experienced excess deaths. The highest rates were observed in Finland at 18.4%, Cyprus at 18.0%, and the Netherlands at 13.9%. The regions most affected included Madrid in Spain, with over 4,000 deaths, followed by Nord in France with nearly 2,000 deaths, and Budapest in Hungary with 1,602 deaths. What is the state of the EU health system?Health strikes across Europe marked 2024 due to chronic staff shortages and low pay. According to the OECD, 20 EU countries reported a shortage of doctors in 2022 and 2023, while 15 countries reported a shortage of nurses.The Covid-19 pandemic also exposed weaknesses in the EU’s medicines markets. According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), there are currently 31 essential drugs experiencing shortages across the bloc, including medications for cancer, infertility, ADHD, and diabetes.To tackle this issue, the EU Health Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi, has been tasked with presenting the Critical Medicines Act.Despite Várhelyi’s desire to push the act as a key health legislation within the first 100 days of his tenure, the act is absent from the European Commission’s meetings scheduled until 1 April.Meanwhile, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the initiative in her July political guidelines, but she did not specify a timeline.Video editor • Mert Can Yilmaz
