In 2026, 5,120 people have already died due to heat.
Source: iStock/william87; ZDF
This summer, 5,120 people have already died from the heat, reports the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). In the 26th calendar week alone – from June 22 to 28 – 4,310 people died. In general, more people die in Germany in winter than in summer. But high temperatures, like the last two weeks of June, lead to more deaths.
Deaths during the year
ZDFheute infographics
One click to protect your data
We use Datawrapper software to display ZDFheute infographics. Only when you click here will the graphics be reloaded. Your IP address will be transmitted to Datawrapper’s external servers. More information about Datawrapper data protection can be found on the provider’s website. To facilitate your future visits, we store your consent in your privacy settings. You can withdraw your consent at any time in the “My News” section.
Over the past ten years, especially in 2018, there have been many heat-related deaths. There were seven hot weeks then. The warmest time was in early August, when the average weekly temperature across the country was 25.1 degrees. In the last two weeks of June 2026, the average weekly temperature was 21.1 and more than 26 degrees. In 2026, there were only two hot weeks.
That’s how many deaths from heat occur every year.
ZDFheute infographics
One click to protect your data
We use Datawrapper software to display ZDFheute infographics. Only when you click here will the graphics be reloaded. Your IP address will be transmitted to Datawrapper’s external servers. More information about Datawrapper data protection can be found on the provider’s website. To facilitate your future visits, we store your consent in your privacy settings. You can withdraw your consent at any time in the “My News” section.
Because the heat death calculation is a statistical model, there is an area of uncertainty. So it’s possible that fewer or more than 5,120 people actually died due to the heat this year.
The RKI has already reported 800 heat-related deaths in the past week.
02/07/2026 | 0:33 min.
Heat is especially dangerous for older people
RKI data shows that people over 85 are particularly at risk from the heat. However, a heat wave at the end of June led to an increase in mortality in all age groups.
Heat-related mortality by age
ZDFheute infographics
One click to protect your data
We use Datawrapper software to display ZDFheute infographics. Only when you click here will the graphics be reloaded. Your IP address will be transmitted to Datawrapper’s external servers. More information about Datawrapper data protection can be found on the provider’s website. To facilitate your future visits, we store your consent in your privacy settings. You can withdraw your consent at any time in the “My News” section.
“Germany is currently in a transition phase,” explains Matthias an der Heiden, statistician at the RKI. The fact that heat waves occur regularly is new. “Neither our buildings nor our habits are ready for this. We see the consequences in the death rate.”
How the RKI calculates heat mortality
In the case of heatstroke, only heat causes death. But this rarely happens. Most heat-related deaths are caused by a combination of pre-existing conditions and heat exposure. Therefore, heat is not usually listed as a cause on death certificates. To be able to quantify heat-related mortality, the RKI uses a statistical model.
Heat is rarely the sole cause of death. But on hot days we see significantly higher mortality rates than usual, especially among older people.
Dr. Matthias an der Heiden, Robert Koch Institute
The effect of heat on mortality
ZDFheute infographics
One click to protect your data
We use Datawrapper software to display ZDFheute infographics. Only when you click here will the graphics be reloaded. Your IP address will be transmitted to Datawrapper’s external servers. More information about Datawrapper data protection can be found on the provider’s website. To facilitate your future visits, we store your consent in your privacy settings. You can withdraw your consent at any time in the “My News” section.
Based on the period from 2016 to 2025, the RKI calculated for each week how many people typically die when the average weekly temperature drops below 20 degrees. If the number of people who die during hot weeks exceeds this value, they are counted as heat deaths. A week is considered hot if the average weekly temperature across the country exceeds 20 degrees.
Editor: Kevin Schubert
Health Risk: Heat
:So, are you ready for high temperatures?
Above average temperatures are expected in Germany this summer. What heat means for your health and how to survive the next heat wave.
Thomas Bleich
with video5:01
Important note on your behalf
Our news offering is now a preferred source on Google
If you search for something on Google, you will also see a title box next to the search results.
With ZDFheute as a saved source, you’ll get our content in the header box more often – verified content right in your review.
→ Set ZDFheute as the preferred source here.
ZDF has reported on this topic in various articles, including on ZDFheute Xpress on July 2, 2026 at 12:08 pm.