Malta Faces Record High Mortality Rates During Summer 2023 and 2024
Malta experienced alarming spikes in mortality rates during the summers of 2023 and 2024, with the island nation recording some of the highest excess death percentages in the European Union during these periods. Experts attribute these increases primarily to extreme heatwaves, exacerbating health vulnerabilities across the population.
2023: Heatwave Impact
In July 2023, Malta’s excess mortality rate surged to 158% above the baseline average of 2016–2019. The nation was among the hardest hit by a continent-wide heatwave, with temperatures in southern Europe exceeding 45°C. The heat’s impact was particularly acute in Malta due to its dense urban environment and aging population, which is especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and cardiovascular strain.
2024: A Repeat Crisis
In September 2024, Malta again topped the EU charts for excess mortality, with rates peaking at over 46% during the third week. Prolonged high temperatures combined with limited mitigation strategies further stressed public health systems. Notably, similar patterns of increased mortality were reported across southern Europe, but Malta’s rates remained among the highest.
The record-high mortality rates in Malta during the summers of 2023 and 2024 appear to be tied closely to extreme heatwaves, with the nation showing some of the highest excess mortality percentages in the EU.
In July 2023, Malta experienced a 158% increase in excess mortality, the highest in the EU, as temperatures soared above 45°C across southern Europe. This pattern repeated in September 2024, with Malta again leading the EU with an excess mortality rate of over 46% during the third week of the month. These trends are attributed to Malta’s dense urban structure, an aging population vulnerable to heat stress, and potentially limited cooling infrastructure.
While heatwaves are the primary cause, other factors such as power cuts or healthcare system stress may have compounded the issue. A stable energy supply is critical during heatwaves, particularly for maintaining cooling systems and healthcare services. Eurostat data confirms that these events coincided with significant spikes in excess deaths across southern Europe but were particularly acute in Malta.
