Over the past twenty years, figures show that more people die on January 3.
A phenomenon that can be explained by the desire of people at the end of their lives to reach a new year, or to spend the holidays with their loved ones.
The statistics are clear. Between 2004 and 2023, only one day has been identified as being more deadly than the others: January 3. According to an INSEE study published last October, the number of deaths observed on this date is on average 19% higher than the other days of the year, with 1,900 deaths recorded on average, compared to 1,600 on the other days of this year. period of twenty years.
Resisting to spend the holidays with loved ones
Several factors can explain these figures. “The desire to spend the end-of-year 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”analyzes Nathalie Blanpain, the INSEE statistician. Another element of explanation: the period corresponds to a resumption of scheduled surgical operations, indicates the organization.
The deadliest day of the week, however, is Tuesday, with 1,620 deaths on average, representing an excess mortality of +1%. Another particularly deadly day in France: his birthday. Between 1994 and 2023, the average of deaths on this day is 6% higher than other days of the period, “especially for young people”, notes INSEE.
This phenomenon, called “birthday syndrome”, has been observed in other countries, notably in Switzerland and the United States. Here again, several hypotheses are put forward. In Switzerland, road accidents, as well as cardiovascular accidents, are more frequent on this day, which can be explained by excess alcohol or fatigue due to the party. “The desire to reach the day of one’s birthday could delay the occurrence of death for people at the end of life”, adds INSEE.
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The least deadly day of the year is August 15. Between 2004 and 2023, INSEE recorded 1,410 daily deaths on average, or 12% less compared to the entire period. “Deaths on public holidays are less frequent”comments the statistical body in the same study.
