The heatwave that hit France between June 17 and July 2 caused 5,764 excess deaths, the highest figure since the heatwave of 2003, Santé publique France (SpF) reported yesterday.
Half of these excess deaths, which also affected younger age groups, although two-thirds of the victims were aged 75 or more, were recorded in just three days, from June 25 to 27, the state agency said.
The increase in mortality from all causes – which cannot yet be attributed with certainty to the heat – was observed “in all age groups from 15 years old,” with “a sharp increase from 45 years old,” a situation considered “unprecedented” by specialists.
Mortality data, which continues to be monitored and scrutinized in recent weeks, has sparked intense political debate in France, with the opposition accusing the Government of a lack of preparedness for the consequences of climate change.
The French Government has sought to avert comparisons with the extreme heatwave of 2003, which caused about 15,000 excess deaths, many of them in elderly homes.
Nevertheless, the office of the French Minister of Health, Stéphanie Rist, noted today that, “despite the extremely intense episode in June (…), the number of excess deaths recorded is clearly lower” than that of 2003, recalling that that year’s heatwave lasted about three weeks, while this year’s extended for 16 days.
SpF expert Guillaume Boulanger warned, however, of the need for caution when comparing the two episodes, separated by more than two decades, due to the evolution of health systems and population aging.
The state agency recalled that the recent heatwave, which affected a large part of Europe, was marked by a “premature onset” and an “unprecedented duration,” hitting practically the entire French population at a time when school and professional activities were still ongoing.
Two-thirds of the excess deaths occurred among people aged 75 and over, a group particularly vulnerable due to frail health.
However, mortality also rose significantly among people aged 45 to 64, with 979 excess deaths, equivalent to a 55% increase over what was expected for this period.
SpF emphasized that these numbers remain provisional, with an assessment of deaths actually attributable to heat expected in the autumn.
According to the agency, the tally is likely to rise, since some deaths currently classified as within normal mortality may come to be attributed to extreme temperatures.
In the Paris region, particularly affected, mortality doubled relative to the usual level, with 1,999 deaths.
Deaths rose “in all types of establishments,” including hospitals, care homes and residences for the elderly, but “especially in households,” noted Guillaume Boulanger.
To this tally are added about 300 excess deaths recorded during the first heatwave of the year, between May 24 and 28, less intense and shorter.
France also faced a third episode of extreme heat in mid-July.
According to experts, repeated exposure to heat waves causes progressive wear on the body, particularly affecting children, the elderly, vulnerable people and chronically ill.
Although the peak heat days account for only between 4% and 5% of summer days, they account for about 30% of heat-attributable deaths during that period.
“Exposure to heat can impact mortality throughout the summer,” emphasized Guillaume Boulanger.
In 2025, around 1,900 heat-attributed deaths were counted in France during three distinct heatwaves, but the total number of deaths attributable to elevated temperatures between June 1 and September 30 of that year reached approximately 5,700.
