Office for National Statistics data shows more than 40,000 excess deaths occurred on England's hottest days between 1988 and 2025, with 2026 on track to set new heat-related death records.
Key facts
- More than 40,000 more people died on England's hottest days between 1988 and 2025 than would be expected in normal temperatures, according to the ONS.
- The figures were published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.
- The data does not include this summer, which is on track to record England's highest ever number of heat-related deaths.
- The UK Health Security Agency estimated on 30 July that 2,877 people died in the May and June heatwaves alone.
- That figure is almost double the total for the whole summer of 2025.
More than 40,000 more people died on the hottest days in England between 1988 and 2025 than would be expected in normal temperatures, according to data published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.
The figures, described by critics as a “national scandal”, underline the rising human toll of extreme heat over nearly four decades. The ONS analysis compares deaths recorded on the hottest days against what would normally be expected under typical temperatures.
The published data does not include this summer, when England has endured a succession of heatwaves. Officials warn the country is on track to record its highest ever number of heat-related deaths, according to the Guardian.
The UK Health Security Agency announced on 30 July that an estimated 2,877 people had died in the May and June heatwaves alone. That total is almost double the figure recorded for the whole of summer 2025, highlighting how sharply this year’s toll has climbed.
Officials cited in the reporting link the rising numbers to the climate crisis, with hotter days becoming more frequent and more intense over time. The scale of the increase has intensified calls for stronger measures to protect people during periods of extreme heat.
The ONS figures span a period of 37 years, offering a long-term picture of how extreme heat has affected mortality in England as temperatures have risen.
Why it matters
Extreme heat is often described as a silent killer, and the ONS data puts a stark number on its long-term impact in England. With this summer already on course to break records, the figures underscore the growing public health challenge posed by a warming climate.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died from extreme heat in England since 1988?
More than 40,000 more people died on England's hottest days between 1988 and 2025 than would be expected in normal temperatures, according to ONS data published on Wednesday.
How many died in the 2026 heatwaves?
The UK Health Security Agency announced on 30 July that an estimated 2,877 people died in the May and June heatwaves alone, almost double the figure for the whole summer of 2025.
Do the ONS figures include this summer?
No. The 40,000-plus figure covers 1988 to 2025 and does not include this summer, which is on track to record England's highest ever number of heat-related deaths.