Drowning Statistics For 2023

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths among children and young adults. Drowning statistics often overlook due to the limited media coverage. It’s essential to know what the warning signs are and how you might be able to save someone from drowning if they were in danger of doing so. A significant percentage of drowning accidents occur in bodies of water near homes, schools, or workplaces. Knowing the warning signs and being aware of the statistics may be the difference between saving and losing a life. Drowning can occur quickly and quietly; in extreme cases, it can be deadly within minutes. Here are some 2022 statistics on drowning.

• Men comprise 80% of deaths from swimming pool drowning
• Ocean drowning is a leading cause of death worldwide at over 80% of the total drowning deaths
• The accounted number of River drowning in 2022 was 20.3% of a fatal death.
• Almost 3dozens reported in Lake drowning
• There were 8 million unintentional drownings worldwide
• Drowning of boating accident victims was 79% not wearing life jackets.
• Between 2000–3000 people drown during recreational fishing
• In the 20 countries surveyed 31% of drowning children are under the age of 5
• Half of the deaths due to storm drowning were among those aged 65 and older
• Thunderstorms drowning over the same area for heavy rains were the cause of 15% of all accidents
• Over 13,000 people die yearly in Intentional Drownings

Key Drowning Stats

Continue reading to learn more about these 11 drowning stats and how they can affect you.

1. Men comprise 80% of deaths from swimming pool drowning:
According to the World Health Organization, children between one to four years of age accounted for the most significant percentage of drowning deaths in swimming pools. Most casualties reported being men are almost 80% of the total deaths. The high number of casualties during this age range was registered to be due to the risky behavior of men, such as drinking.

2. Ocean drowning is a leading cause of death worldwide at over 80% of the total drowning deaths:
According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, the number of deaths from drowning in oceans was as high as 43% of the total drowning deaths. Ocean drowning is a leading cause of death worldwide at over 80% of the total. Several factors result in ocean drownings, such as the aging population and overcrowding.

3. The accounted number of River drowning in 2022 was 20.3% of a fatal death:
The statistics show that in 2022, about 200,000 people drowned in rivers and streams. rivers accounted for 20.3% of fatal drownings the number is smaller than ocean drownings because rivers and streams are usually not as deep. However, just because the water is shallower does not mean there isn’t any danger. Rivers tend to have moving water which can cause their waters to have a higher current than oceans or lakes. River water is also often colder and contains fishing lines or weeds that can catch or tangle in swimmers’ legs.

4. Almost 3dozens reported in Lake drowning:
According to the statistics, in 2022, high drownings were reported in lakes. This is because they are often near or connected to streams or rivers.US recorded 3dozens of the lake drowning leading to the rise of death in the year 2022. Lakes have a greater concentration of drownings than oceans or rivers because they are often more profound, and there aren’t as many safety precautions when swimming.

5.There were 8 million unintentional drownings worldwide
In 2022, drowning deaths were highest for males between the ages of 15 and 35. Male children aged 10-14 are 40% more likely to drown than girls. In the United States, averaging ten deaths per day of unintentional drowning were counted; there were an estimated 8 million unintentional drownings worldwide, including an estimated 3600 in Australia.

6. Drowning of boating accident victims was 79% not wearing life jackets.
In 2022 the total number of accidents declined by 15.7%, and the number of non-fatal injured victims declined by 17.2%. But, the number of fatalities increased by 8.5 percent. 81% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, and 79% of boating accident victims were not wearing life jackets.

7. Between 2000–3000 people drown during recreational fishing:
As of 2022, drowning was the second leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide and the second leading cause of injury death in the United States. The World Health Organization estimates that between 2000–3000 people drown while fishing in a boat or on shore yearly. Around 55 million Americans engage in freshwater, saltwater, and fly-fishing activities. The statistics show that more people die while fishing than in any other type of boating.

8.In the 20 countries surveyed 31% of drowning children are under the age of 5:
In 2022, drowning was the second leading cause of death for children under 5. The statistics for 2022 show that drowning was the cause of 31% of all child deaths under 5 in the 20 countries surveyed. Deaths can differ by sex, age, race, and ethnicity. According to these statistics, despite common perception and belief, drowning is not just an issue for children ages 1-4.

9. Half of the deaths due to storm drowning were among those aged 65 and older:
The World Health Organization reported that drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death during a storm, after electric shocks and house fires. The number is even higher for storms that produce tornados because of the damage to homes, and trees falling over can trap people and cause them to drown.it is not surprising that half of the deaths due to storm drowning were among those aged 65 and older.

10. Thunderstorms drowning over the same area for heavy rains were the cause of 15% of all accidents:
The World Health Organization reported that drowning was the second leading cause of accidental death during thunderstorms. The statistics of rapid drowning of thunderstorms over the same area for heavy rains from tropical storms show that drowning was the cause of 15% of all accidents where lightning caused an electric shock.

11. Over 13,000 people die yearly in Intentional Drownings :
Drowning is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, with over 13,000 people dying yearly in such incidents, according to the World Health Organization. The numbers are higher than other types of accidental death because many people die in natural disasters like floods or tsunamis that are not preventable. But jumped nearly 28% from 2021 to 2022, new data show.

In Conclusion
Drowning is a serious risk to everyone, especially those who can swim. Drowning is also one of the only causes of death that can occur at any time or anywhere. There are ways to prevent drowning, including swimming lessons and always watching children when in or near water.