Among the 5.1 million deaths reported in the European Union (EU) in 2016, 6 600 were due to viral hepatitis. In other words, at EU level, the rate of deaths from viral hepatitis stood on average at 13 deaths per million inhabitants in 2016. Compared with 2011, it decreased by 16% from 15 deaths per million inhabitants.
Men (3 400 deaths) and women (3 200 deaths) were almost equally affected. Nearly two-thirds of these deaths concerned people aged over 65 (4 300 deaths, 64% of the EU total).
Death rate from hepatitis highest in Italy, lowest in Slovenia and Finland
To make a sound comparison between countries, the absolute numbers of deaths across Member States need to be adjusted to the size and structure of the population.
With 38 deaths from viral hepatitis per million inhabitants, Italy registered the highest rate among the EU Member States in 2016. It was followed by Latvia (31 deaths per million inhabitants) and Austria (21).
At the opposite end of the scale, the lowest rates were recorded in Slovenia and Finland (both with 1 death per million inhabitants), Czechia and the Netherlands (3 each).
The source datasets can be found here (rate) and here (absolute number).
This news item marks World Hepatitis Day (28 July).
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