The Mexicans call it “El dias de los muertos”: the day of the deada important date for Catholics from all over the world. A day that reminds us of this inevitable passage. But who hasn't wondered when will this tunnel appear? ? A mystery partly revealed by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) in a report published Wednesday October 30. So be careful when blowing out your candles, scientists have shown that you increase the probability of dying on your birthday.
According to the institute's figures, in 2023, 639,300 people died in France. That is 35,900 fewer people than in 2022, a year marked by five waves of covid-19, two of flu and a summer heatwave. Scientists note a curve that has been rising since 2011 linked to the grandpa boom generation born between 1946 and 1974.
It's no surprise in winter they analyze a mortality peakin particular due to viral circulation, including the flu which kills around 10,000 people each winter. “The winter months were the deadliest, with excess mortality of +9% in December, +14% in January, +12% in February and +6% in March,” specify the authors of the report.
January 3, the deadliest day
Conversely, for those over 30, it's good the summer which is the least deadly. A figure that does not concern people between 18 and 29 years old. Unlike older people, young people resist winter viruses well but are more at risk of road accidents during the summer.
So no more suspense, you are probably wondering what day do we die the most? After analyzing the figures for the last 20 years, it is January 3 who holds this sad record, with an average number of deaths of 1,900compared to 1,600 over the entire period from 2004 to 2023, i.e. +19%. “January 3 is a winter day, which follows end of year celebrations. The desire to spend these holidays with loved ones, as well as the desire to reach a new year, could delay the onset of death of people at the end of life and partly explain this peak. Furthermore, this period corresponds to a resumption of scheduled surgical operations which can cause fatal complications”, analyzes INSEE.
August 15 is the least deadly day of the year
On the contrary, August 15 appears to be the least deadly day of the year with an average of 1,410 deaths every year. According to the statistical institute, public holidays have fewer deaths than a working day. “Hospital deaths fall more on public holidays. This could be explained by less frequent treatment of interventions scheduled during these usual days of rest,” underlines INSEE.
For information, Sunday is the day of the week where the risk of dying is lowest with 1,550 deaths. As for Tuesday, although the difference is small, it appears to be the deadliest with 1620 deaths on average. On the other hand, the mortality of adolescents and young adults is higher on weekends, a period of higher accident rates.
Higher risk of dying on your birthday
But more surprisingly, during their research the scientists discovered that the risk of dying increases on our birthday. To achieve this result, they compared birthday dates and death dates. They showed a 6% increase in mortality that day. A risk which affects all age groups, but which increases for those aged 18-39 (+ 21%). And that doesn't mean that centenarians are spared. “The average number of deaths on 100th birthday is 29% higher to the average number of daily deaths for people of the same age”, notes the statistics agency.
“This phenomenon, called “birthday syndrome”has been observed in other countries. Several hypotheses are put forward. In Switzerland, road accidentsfalls and cardiovascular accidents are more frequent on this day, which could be explained by excess alcohol. In Japan, the risk of suicide increases on his birthday. This symbolic date could exacerbate a feeling of sadness or loneliness,” concludes the agency.
