In 2022, there were 4 810 deaths by drowning and submersion in the EU, 194 fewer than in 2021 (5004), indicating a 3.9 percent decrease.

The share of drownings and submersion fatalities out of all accidental deaths also decreased slightly from 3.1 percent in 2021 to 2.8 percent in 2022, making this the lowest share since the data collection started in 2011, when drownings and submersion fatalities represented 4.2 percent of all accidental deaths.  

Among EU countries, in 2022, the highest number of drowning and submersion deaths was reported in France (784), which accounts for 16.3 percent of all drowning fatalities in the EU, followed by Germany (542), Poland (535), Romania (472) and Spain (449). The lowest numbers in the EU were recorded in Luxembourg (1), Malta (3), Cyprus (13) and Slovenia (25).

As in previous years, drowning deaths were more common among men than women. In 2022, this was the case in all EU countries. However, in Slovenia (14 men, 11 women), the difference was less substantial than in other EU countries. In Luxembourg, the only victim was male.