This excess of deaths, all causes combined, is lower than the number of deaths attributable to Covid-19, estimated between 130 000 and 146 000 over the same period.
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The Covid-19 epidemic has had a significant impact on the mortality rate in France. According to a study by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), 95,000 more deaths than expected were recorded between March 2020 and December 2021. This excess of deaths, all causes combined, is lower than the number deaths attributable to Covid-19, estimated between 130,000 and 146,000 over the same period.
The number of deaths linked to the pandemic indeed includes the deaths of fragile people who would have died even without the epidemic in 2020 or 2021. In addition, the impact of the epidemic is reduced thanks to certain deaths avoided, in particular due to road accidents avoided during the various confinements.
From August 2021 to December 2021, the gap between observed and expected deaths has however become greater than deaths linked to Covid-19. According to INSEE, this could be explained by a drop in deaths avoided and/or by an increase in deaths indirectly linked to the epidemic. Excess mortality, i.e. the excess of deaths observed over those expected, remains high in 2021 (6.3%, after 7.5% in 2020). Compared to 2020, the year 2021 is distinguished by an increase in excess mortality before age 75 and a decrease after age 85.
The gap between women and men has also increased: according to this same INSEE study, excess mortality has stabilized for men (8.6% in 2020 and 8.3% in 2021), while that of women has decreased (from 6.4% to 4.3%).