Environment & Climate
Office for National Statistics links extreme heat to over 40,000 excess deaths in England from 1988 to 2025
New data highlights growing heat risks for vulnerable populations as the mortality gap between extreme heat and cold narrows.
The short version
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) data indicates over 40,000 excess deaths occurred on the hottest days in England between 1988 and 2025.
- The historical total excludes the current summer, during which the UK Health Security Agency estimated 2,877 heatwave deaths in May and June alone.
- Hospitals and ambulance services reported record demand during recent heatwaves, with London recording the highest heat-attributable mortality.
- Officials and experts anticipate premature heat-related deaths will continue rising due to climate change and an aging population.
Key facts
- Data from the Office for National Statistics shows over 40,000 excess deaths occurred on England's hottest days between 1988 and 2025.[The Guardian]
- The UK Health Security Agency reported an estimated 2,877 deaths linked to heatwaves in May and June, almost double the total for the entire summer of 2025.[The Guardian]
- London recorded the highest number of deaths attributable to extreme heat among English regions.[The Guardian]
- Between 1988 and 2025, England recorded 139,000 deaths associated with cold temperatures, but the ONS noted the gap between cold- and heat-related deaths is narrowing.[The Guardian]
- Emergency departments in England saw nearly 2.5 million patient attendances per month in May, June, and July, marking their busiest summer period on record.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The full death toll for the current summer in England remains unconfirmed as overall statistics are still being compiled.[The Guardian]