Covid-19 was the third cause of death in France in 2021, according to Inserm

Covid-19 was the third cause of death in 2021 in France, according to two studies by Drees and Santé Publique France based on the national statistics of causes of death produced by the Center for Epidemiology of Medical Causes of Death of the ‘Inserm (CépiDc-Inserm).

Covid-19 represents 9.2% of all deaths in 2021, or 60,895 people in France, the majority elderly. The leading causes of death in France in 2021 are tumors (25.7%). Diseases of the circulatory system come in second place (20.9%). Two thirds of deaths due to Covid-19 in 2021 took place in public health establishments.

Higher mortality in Overseas Territories

Furthermore, mortality due to Covid-19 was higher in the overseas departments and regions compared to 2020, with in particular a marked epidemic peak in August 2021 in the Antilles. The regions of France have been heterogeneously affected by the epidemic. With all the same compared to 2020 an extension towards the south and more slightly, towards the west.

In 2021, the total number of deaths is 660,168. This is less than in 2020 (667,497 deaths) but much more than in previous years even taking into account the aging of the population. A first estimate of the rates and number of deaths by cause suggests that these increases would continue in 2022. These increases in mortality could be linked to indirect effects of the Covid-19 epidemic such as the delay in care, the greater social isolation, an increase in harmful alcohol consumption, difficulties accessing care or the after-effects.