November 2024 recorded 22,000 fewer excess deaths in the EU than in November 2023. Malta, Romania, and Slovakia recorded negative excess mortality rates.
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00:00Excess deaths decreased in Europe despite challenged health systems.
00:09Excess mortality in the EU decreased to 5% in November 2024.
00:14This represents 22,000 fewer deaths than in November 2023.
00:19The excess mortality rate was negative in seven EU countries,
00:23with Malta recording the lowest rate at minus 16.1%,
00:29followed by Romania at minus 12.3% and Slovakia at minus 4.9%.
00:36On the other hand, the highest rates were observed in Finland at 18.4%,
00:43Cyprus at 18% and the Netherlands at 13.9%.
00:49The most affected regions were Spain's capital Madrid with over 4,000 deaths,
00:55followed by France's Nord with almost 2,000 deaths and Budapest in Hungary with 1,602.
01:032024 was marked by health strikes across Europe due to chronic staff shortages and low pay.
01:09The COVID-19 pandemic also exposed weaknesses in the EU's medicines markets.
01:16To try and tackle severe shortages of essential medicines such as antibiotics,
01:21insulin and painkillers in the EU,
01:24the EU Health Commissioner has been tasked with presenting the Critical Medicines Act.