New research by the OECD shows there were no excess deaths in Ireland between 2020 and 2022, when the pandemic began, when factors such as population growth were taken into account.
Data from OECD Health Working Paper No 163 refers to the number of deaths from all causes that exceeds what would normally be expected over a given period of time.
The paper shows that across OECD countries, excess deaths increased by 5% from 2020 to 2022 compared to 2015 to 2019.
The OECD researchers said their findings apply to annual or three-year mortality patterns.
They note that weekly death data shows greater variation and that in the years of the pandemic, “countries may have experienced significant peaks in mortality rates, which may have caused severe pressure on health systems and emergency services.” “There is,” he said.
The authors found that mortality rates were lower than expected for some younger age groups, and said exposure to accidents, violence and other infectious diseases had decreased during the lockdown.
Figures for all countries have been adjusted to account for rapid demographic changes.
In the case of Ireland, between 2016 and 2022, Ireland’s population grew by 8% and the number of people aged 65 and over also increased by 22%.
In a statement regarding the findings, the Ministry of Health said: “Adjusting mortality rates to account for these changes showed that Ireland recorded no excess deaths between 2020 and 2022.” In fact, Ireland’s mortality rate was lower than expected. is. ”
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “I am very pleased to report that Ireland’s excess mortality rate during the core phase of the pandemic was the fourth lowest among OECD countries.
“Ireland has asked many questions of its people during this time and the restrictions introduced have had a severe impact on all of us. It shows strong uptake of the vaccination program.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smith said: “The OECD working paper highlights some of the important caveats associated with previously published estimates of excess mortality during the core phase of the pandemic.” Stated.