A decrease of 3,265 deaths or 11.2% was recorded in the number of deaths in the country, including deaths due to the pandemic, in the first 9 weeks of this year (2/1/2023- 5/3/2023) and amounted to 25,845 (12,848 men and 12,997 women), while during the corresponding period of 2022 (3/1/2022- 6/3/2022) they had risen to 29,110 (14,552 men and 14,558 women).

An increase of 468 deaths (1.8%) was recorded compared to the average of the first 9 weeks of the years 2017-2022 (25,377 deaths). The corresponding percentages of change, per year, for the period 2017-2022 amount to 24.9% in 2022 compared to 2021 (23,306 deaths), to -6.5% in 2021 compared to 2020 (24,928 deaths), to -1.7% in 2020 compared to 2019 (25,367 deaths), to 12.2% in 2019 compared to 2018 (22,613 deaths) and to -16.1% in 2018 compared to 2017 (26,940 deaths).

According to ELSTAT data, in the period of the first 9 weeks of 2023 compared to the corresponding period of 2022, the most significant percentage reductions were recorded on the 4th (23/1/2023- 29/1/2023), on the 5th (30 /1/2023- 5/2/2023) and in the 6th week (6/2/2023- 12/2/2023), by 22.6%, 21.4% and 12.1% respectively.

By age group, it is observed that deaths were fewer, in absolute terms, mainly in the age groups 85 to 89 years (803 deaths), 80 to 84 years (591 deaths) and over 90 years (437 deaths). While, more deaths were recorded mainly for the age group 0-4 years (15 deaths).

According to the region of permanent residence of the deceased, it is observed that deaths show a decrease in all 13 regions of the country. The most important reductions, in absolute terms, are presented in the regions of Attica, Central Macedonia, and Western Greece, by 1001, 895, and 352 deaths respectively.