Preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) released Wednesday indicate approximately 236,000 deaths occurred in Germany during the second quarter of 2025. Notably, mortality rates in each of the three months – April, May and June – were lower than the average figures recorded across the preceding four years, falling by two percent in April and three percent in both May and June.
The influenza wave, which significantly impacted mortality figures during January and February, is considered to have subsided by early April. An examination of mortality by calendar week reveals a discernible influence from a heatwave during the transition between June and July. Mortality rates during calendar week 27 (June 16th to June 30th) were estimated to be eight percent higher than comparative figures from the previous four years. This correlation between heat and increased mortality is a recognized phenomenon, frequently observed during the summer months.
The Euromomo network, which monitors mortality trends, assessed findings related to excess mortality across Europe based on its own projections of incomplete reports and a defined excess mortality concept. Their analysis revealed that for almost all European countries, no significant deviations from anticipated trends were observed during the second quarter of 2025. Only Estonia, Spain and Cyprus registered a slight excess mortality (“low excess”) on a weekly basis during this period.