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Mortality in Switzerland in 2021
Isabella Locatelli1, Valentin Rousson1
1Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Plos One
|September 9, 2022
Summary
In 2021, Swiss mortality returned to pre-pandemic levels after a COVID-19 surge in late 2020. Life expectancy recovered for women but remained slightly below 2019 levels for men, particularly those aged 50-70.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Demography
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global mortality trends in 2020.
- Understanding the second year of the pandemic's effect on mortality is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze mortality trends in Switzerland during 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To compare 2021 mortality data with previous years to assess pandemic impact.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.
- Analyzed standardized weekly deaths, annual mortality rates (overall and stratified by age/sex), and life expectancy.
- Compared 2021 data against pre-pandemic years and 2020.
Main Results:
- Switzerland experienced a moderate COVID-19 wave in late 2021.
- Overall mortality in 2021 nearly returned to 2019 levels (+0.8%), a significant recovery from the 2020 increase (+9.2%).
- Life expectancy for women returned to 2019 levels, while men's life expectancy recovered to 2018 levels, with a slight deficit from 2019, primarily affecting the 50-70 age group.
Conclusions:
- Mortality levels in Switzerland approximated pre-pandemic levels in the second year of COVID-19.
- Mortality recovery was faster for women than for men compared to 2020 levels.
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