Deaths from natural disasters in India
India: Deaths from natural disasters was 2,120 deaths in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Deaths from natural disasters in India, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for deaths from natural disasters in India is 2,120 deaths, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 12.1% on the previous year and up 157.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths from natural disasters in India peaked at 21,828 deaths in 2001 and was at its lowest, 332.59 deaths, in 2012.
India ranks 2nd of 194 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Deaths from natural disasters in India, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2,394 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 21,828 deaths | +811.6% |
| 2002 | 921.81 deaths | -95.8% |
| 2003 | 667.32 deaths | -27.6% |
| 2004 | 18,373 deaths | +2653.2% |
| 2005 | 3,895 deaths | -78.8% |
| 2006 | 1,415 deaths | -63.7% |
| 2007 | 2,084 deaths | +47.3% |
| 2008 | 1,756 deaths | -15.7% |
| 2009 | 1,783 deaths | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 994.65 deaths | -44.2% |
| 2011 | 823.2 deaths | -17.2% |
| 2012 | 332.59 deaths | -59.6% |
| 2013 | 6,502 deaths | +1854.9% |
| 2014 | 883.84 deaths | -86.4% |
| 2015 | 1,143 deaths | +29.4% |
| 2016 | 817.1 deaths | -28.5% |
| 2017 | 2,071 deaths | +153.5% |
| 2018 | 1,329 deaths | -35.8% |
| 2019 | 2,236 deaths | +68.2% |
| 2020 | 2,412 deaths | +7.9% |
| 2021 | 2,120 deaths | -12.1% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 2,120 deaths is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.19 deaths, 664.5× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- India's 2,120 deaths is above the median for South Asia, which is 28.49 deaths, 74.4× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Deaths from natural disasters in India changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +2653.2% | 667.32 deaths | 18,373 deaths |
| 2013 | +1854.9% | 332.59 deaths | 6,502 deaths |
| 2001 | +811.6% | 2,394 deaths | 21,828 deaths |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5,512 deaths | 667.32 deaths | 21,828 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,713 deaths | 332.59 deaths | 6,502 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,266 deaths | 2,120 deaths | 2,412 deaths | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
- 1 Haiti 2,324 deaths compare
- 3 Philippines 577.08 deaths compare
- 4 United States 563.35 deaths compare
- 5 Afghanistan 522.38 deaths compare
More health data for India
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.4372 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,332 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 44,822 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.3809 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0372 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.5922 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is deaths from natural disasters in India?
- Deaths from natural disasters in India was 2,120 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths from natural disasters recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 21,828 deaths in 2001.
- What is the lowest deaths from natural disasters recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 332.59 deaths in 2012.
- How does India rank for deaths from natural disasters?
- India ranks 2nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is deaths from natural disasters rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 157.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Deaths from natural disasters. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from natural disasters in both sexes.