With an unprecedented crisis, exceptional mortality.
668,800 deaths occurred in 2020, from all causes, or 55,000 more than in 2019, said the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) in two final studies published on Monday, March 29.
These numerous deaths justify an excess mortality of 9.1% compared to the previous year, a figure unheard of for 70 years, and therefore higher than that observed during heat waves, in 2003 in particular.
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"
Due to the Covid-19 epidemic (...), life expectancy has fallen by six months for women (85.1 years) compared to 2019, and by 7.2 months (79, 1 years) for men
”, also writes the Institute.
The increase in deaths was also greater for men (+ 10%) than for women (+ 8%).
INSEE reports two “
waves
” of deaths: in the spring and in the fall.
“
In March-April 2020, 27,300 additional deaths occurred compared to the same period of 2019 (+ 27%).
The excess deaths between September and December are, for their part, less intense but lasted longer: in the end, it turns out to be greater than that of the first wave (+34,300, or + 17%)
”, perhaps. we read.
The majority of deaths have been observed in those over 70 years of age.
Excess mortality jumped to 14% among 70-79 year olds, 9% among 80-89 year olds, and 12% among older people.
"
During the two waves, the increase is very strong, with relatively few differences between septuagenarians, octogenarians and older: + 31% in March-April and + 20% in September-December for those aged 70 or over
", explains the 'study.
Eastern France more affected than the rest of the country
Like the latest government measures, the increase in excess mortality has been uneven from one territory to another: it has been particularly strong in the eastern half of mainland France, including Ile-de-France.
"
The excess deaths over the year are highest in Île-de-France (+ 19%) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (+ 15%)
", specifies INSEE.
“
Then come regions geographically close to the first two, with excess mortality in 2020 (...) a little less (between + 8% and + 13%): the Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Hauts-de -France, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Finally, in seven regions, rather located in the west of France (with the exception of Corsica), excess mortality is relatively low, between + 1% and + 6%.
"
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But France would not be the most to be pitied, according to INSEE: excess mortality is higher in all the countries bordering France, with the notable exception of Germany (+ 5%) and Luxembourg (+8 %).
The increase is greater than or equal to 14% in seven European countries: Spain, Poland, Belgium, Slovenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Italy.
"
With + 9%, France is in a middle position
," says the Institute.
INSEE also notes a drop in marriages in 2020, with 155,000 unions, or 31% less than in 2019. Finally, 736,000 babies were born in France, or 17,000 fewer births than in 2019 (-2.3% ).
