At least 35,000 excess deaths have been linked to a series of intense heat waves that have affected Europe in 2026, according to recent reports. The figure is provisional and expected to rise once data from additional countries and the month of August are incorporated.
The highest concentration of these fatalities occurred during a heat wave from June 22 to June 28, which accounted for approximately 10,650 excess deaths. Of these, 9,000 involved individuals aged 65 and older, highlighting the particular vulnerability of the elderly population. In Germany alone, the Robert Koch Institute, the nation's public health agency, reported that 9,600 of these deaths took place. This is notably higher than the typical summer toll in Germany, which averages around 2,000 heat-related fatalities.
The severity and frequency of the heat waves have raised concerns for the insurance industry. S&P Global Ratings forecasted a surge in insurance claims related not only to heat-induced mortality but also to health conditions worsened by extreme temperatures. The agency noted that insurers will likely face increased payouts due to hospitalizations and treatment costs, as well as damages from drought and wildfires affecting crops and property. These developments may lead to higher premiums for life and medical insurance products.
The heightened risk posed to older adults stems from physiological factors such as reduced sweating and less adaptive cardiovascular responses during heat exposure. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health highlights that people aged 60 and above are particularly susceptible as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature and maintain sufficient blood flow.
Europe’s heat waves this year have predominantly affected the western part of the continent, breaking temperature records in several countries. France experienced the highest national average daily temperature ever recorded, while Germany saw temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days in June. Spain also reported multiple days with temperatures reaching at least 42 degrees Celsius.
Experts attribute the intensity of these heat waves largely to human-driven climate change, which has been intensified by the presence of an El Niño weather pattern. The repeated extreme heat events mark Europe's deadliest heat-related period since July 2022, when excess mortality surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Karl Lauterbach, the former German health minister, recently remarked that the current death tolls are likely significant underestimates, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced public health measures and climate resilience strategies across the continent.