New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with the COVID-19 pandemic between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 was approximately 14.9 million people. The number includes deaths associated with COVID-19 directly or indirectly - due to the pandemic’s impact on health systems and society.
Most of the excess deaths (84%) are concentrated in South-East Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Some 68% of excess deaths are concentrated in just 10 countries globally.
The estimates confirm that the global death toll was higher for men than for women (57% male, 43% female) and higher among older adults.
