Analysis of population mortality rates in selected European countries in the decade 2014-2023

Abstract

The study presents differences in mortality rates in selected European countries in the decade 2014-2023 on an annual basis and additionally in 2-week observation periods. The analysis takes into account divisions into the total population and 19 five-year age groups. The largest inter-country differences in mortality rates in the decade under review occurred in the broadly defined working-age groups (from 25-29 to 60-64) and in the ‘younger’ post-workingage groups (from 65-69 up to the 75-79 age group).Throughout the entire period under review, the highest mortality rates were recorded in the ‘post-socialist’ countries (Bulgaria, Latvia, Croatia, Lithuania, Romania). The situation was better in the group of ‘intermediate’ countries (Greece, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia). The remaining European countries observed showed significantly lower mortality rates throughout the entire period under review, including the COVID-19 pandemic (Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Denmark).