The preliminary statistics on deaths have now been updated up to and including 5 June this year. Statistics Sweden compares these with the average for corresponding periods in 2015–2019. Levels that are higher than the average are known as excess mortality.

The number of deaths registered in week 22 (ending 31 May) was 1 524 according to the preliminary statistics. That is slightly lower than 1 569 deaths, which is the average for 2015–2019.

“This is the first time in any week since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Sweden. However, we expect that the number of deaths for week 22 will be revised upwards by just under 200, which means that there will probably still be some excess mortality this week as well,” says Tomas Johansson, population statistician at Statistics Sweden.

The most recent week with more than 2 000 deaths was week 19.

In the data registered up to now, excess mortality is only present in the age group 90 years and older during week 22: 4 percent among women and 9 percent among men. There is also some excess mortality among men in the age group 80–89, at 2 percent.

The number of deaths in Stockholm County are also returning to normal levels. There were 295 deaths registered for week 22, which is only ten more than during the reference period.
In the Excel file, these statistics are also presented by region and municipality, and by sex and age.

Further statistics on deaths is available in Eurostat’s database. In addition to Sweden’s statistics, Eurostat’s database contains corresponding figures for many other EU countries.

Facts: Preliminary statistics

Statistics Sweden’s preliminary statistics on deaths have been produced to provide rapid access to developments during the coronavirus outbreak, and to enable comparison with previous years. The statistics are reported on Mondays and should be regarded as raw data. These statistics are updated as new data is made available, as there is a lag in reporting, in particular for the days closest to publication.

Statistics from two weeks ago are not expected to change substantially. Previous years’ statistics are based on Statistics Sweden’s final observation register. Only persons whose date of death is known are included in the above calculations.

These statistics do not list the cause of death, but rather present the number of deaths among people registered in the population in Sweden.

Links:

Preliminary statistics on deaths (Excel file)

Read more articles on how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting society

Statistics on deaths available at Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office