A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a remarkable 38% drop in global drowning deaths since 2000—a testament to the effectiveness of prevention strategies. However, despite this progress, drowning remains a grave public health concern, with more than 30 lives lost to drowning every hour. In 2021 alone, over 300,000 people died from drowning.
The report underscores the disproportionate impact of drowning on young people: nearly half of all drowning deaths occur among individuals under 29 years old, and a quarter involve children under the age of five. Children without adult supervision are particularly at risk.
“The decline in drowning deaths is a significant achievement, showing that the practical interventions WHO recommends save lives,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Yet, every drowning death is a tragedy, and millions remain at risk. This report provides crucial data and recommendations for urgent action to save lives.”
Regional disparities in progress
The progress in reducing drowning deaths has been uneven across regions. The WHO European Region achieved a 68% reduction in drowning rates between 2000 and 2021, while the African Region saw only a 3% decrease, leaving it with the highest drowning rate globally—5.6 deaths per 100,000 people. This disparity reflects varying levels of national commitment: only 15% of African countries have a national drowning prevention strategy, compared to 45% in Europe.
“Drowning remains a significant public health issue, but progress is possible when governments collaborate with local partners,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. “For over a decade, Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported drowning prevention efforts. This report shows how countries can save thousands of lives every year.”
Clear solutions, uneven implementation
The report warns that if current trends continue, over 7.2 million people—mainly children—could lose their lives to drowning by 2050. Yet most drowning deaths are preventable with simple, evidence-based interventions.
WHO recommends community-based actions, including:
- Installing barriers to restrict children’s access to water.
- Providing safe play areas for preschool-aged children.
- Teaching swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills to schoolchildren.
- Training bystanders in rescue and resuscitation.
- Raising public awareness about drowning risks.
- Enforcing safe boating and ferry regulations.
- Strengthening flood risk management.
While some progress has been made—73% of countries have search-and-rescue services, and community-based flood risk programs are equally widespread—critical gaps remain. Only 33% of countries offer national bystander rescue training programs, and 22% include swimming and water safety in school curricula.
Data, policies, and legislation
Reliable data is essential for effective prevention, yet only 65% of countries collect drowning data through civil registration systems. Moreover, legislative gaps persist:
- 81% of countries have laws on boat passenger safety, but only 44% mandate regular safety inspections.
- 66% require lifejacket use for recreational and transport boating.
- Alarmingly, 86% lack fencing laws around swimming pools—a key measure to protect children.
This report, developed following a World Health Assembly resolution, provides a roadmap for preventing drowning deaths worldwide. It calls for coordinated efforts across sectors and increased investment to ensure vulnerable groups are protected and progress is equitable.
Through targeted actions and global collaboration, the promise of a world with fewer drowning deaths can become a reality.
