Measuring excess mortality: a guide to the main reports

A guide to the major publications related to excess deaths in the UK, who produces them and links to the methods and analysis.

Excess deaths can be defined as the difference between the actual number of deaths in a particular period and the estimated number of deaths expected in that period. Expected deaths can be derived in a variety of ways for different purposes, which means that there may be different estimates of excess deaths published by different organisations and used for those specific purposes. Excess deaths attributable to specific factors - such as hot or cold temperature - can also be estimated by using a statistical model of the relationship between the factor and the number of deaths.

This guidance explains the major publications related to excess deaths in the UK. Details of the methodologies are published by individual organisations.

Producers and publishers of the main reports

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating statistics about the UK’s economy, society and population. As such, ONS produces statistics related to the registration of life events which includes publication of Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) are responsible for mortality outputs for Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively. See:

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) forms part of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and is responsible for work to improve the nation’s health and reduce health disparities. OHID produced the monthly publication Excess mortality in England until May 2026. This report is currently paused and no further updates have been announced.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for surveillance of infectious diseases and other health related threats to the security of the nation’s health. UKHSA currently produces 4 excess mortality-related products: