Drowning deaths decline globally but the most vulnerable remain at risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes its first-ever report on drowning prevention, which reveals a 38% drop in the global drowning death rate since 2000—a major global health achievement.
However, the report notes that drowning remains a major public health issue with more than 30 people estimated to be drowning every hour and 300 000 people dying by drowning in 2021 alone. Almost half of all drowning deaths occur among people below the age of 29 years, and a quarter occur among children under the age of 5 years. Children without adult supervision are at an especially high risk of drowning.
“The significant decline in drowning deaths since 2000 is great news and proof that the simple, practical interventions that WHO recommends work,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Still, every drowning death is one death too many, and millions of people remain at risk. This report contains crucial data for policy-making and recommendations for urgent action to save lives.”
Progress in reducing drowning has been uneven. At the global level, 9 in 10 drowning deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO European Region saw a 68% drop in drowning death rate between 2000 and 2021, yet the rate fell by just 3% in the WHO African Region, which has the highest rate of any region with 5.6 deaths per 100 000 people. This may be influenced by the levels of national commitments to address the issue: within the African Region, only 15% of countries had a national strategy or plan for drowning prevention, compared to 45% of countries in the European Region.
By 2050, over 7.2 million lives, mainly children’s, could be lost to drowning unless preventive measures are implemented. The World Health Organization (WHO) outlines effective interventions, such as installing barriers to restrict water access, offering safe play spaces, teaching swimming and rescue skills, and enhancing public awareness. Despite the potential to save lives, implementation varies globally.
Promisingly, 73% of countries have search-and-rescue services and flood risk mitigation programs. However, only 33% train bystanders in rescue techniques, and just 22% integrate water safety into school curricula. Data collection is also inconsistent, with only 65% of nations tracking drowning incidents effectively.
Policy gaps persist; 81% of countries have boating safety laws, but only 44% mandate regular inspections. Alarmingly, 86% lack regulations for pool fencing, vital for child safety. WHO’s report underscores the need for coordinated efforts and increased investment to address drowning disparities and ensure equitable protection for all.
