Heat-related deaths rise sharply in European cities, study finds
A new study shows that mortality linked to high temperatures has increased across European cities, with the steepest rise in Southern Europe.
A team led by Cathryn Tonne and José Chen-Xu at the Institute for Global Health in Barcelona examined climate impacts on health in over 800 European cities, using Eurostat data and other sources. Their findings, published in the Europe Cities Report 2026 in The Lancet, reveal an average increase of 82 heat-related deaths per million people between 2015-2024 versus the 1991-2000 period. Southern Europe recorded the highest increase, with 132 additional deaths per million, while Western Europe saw a rise of 64 per million.
Nearly all cities studied showed higher heat mortality, and about 10% reported more days of exposure to wildfire smoke, especially in southern and eastern regions. The researchers warn that rising temperatures also facilitate the spread of mosquito-borne diseases previously confined to tropical areas.
Why it matters
Rising heat deaths highlight urgent needs for climate adaptation and public-health measures in European cities.
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