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According to the Statistics Agency, the country returned to excessive mortality in November, meaning there were more deaths from all causes than the historical average this month in the last five years.
In all, there were 8,088 deaths, 10% more than the five-year average of 7,383.
“This is the highest number of deaths recorded in November 1918, which is the year the Spanish flu broke out,” said Tomas Johannson.
The highest death toll was recorded on November 15, when 292 people died. But there were more deaths every day between November 12 and 27 than on any other day in November 2015.
Excess mortality in the second wave has so far remained below that seen in the spring between March 29 and May 1, when at least 300 people died every day.
“Since the middle of the year, the death toll has been at a normal level during the period, but in November the death toll started to increase significantly,” Johansson said.
Between July and September, mortality in Sweden was actually slightly below average, 12 percent below average for women and 2 percent below average for men.
The November figures seem less alarming when adjusted to the growing size of Sweden’s population.
Per capita, November was the deadliest in a decade, with 77.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared with 79.2 in November 2010.
Johansson said the excess mortality recorded this November was limited to those 65 and older, with mortality lower than the average mortality recorded for those 64 and younger.
Excess mortality was recorded this November in all regions of Sweden except Norrbotten, Västernorrland and Värmland.
Only two regions, Skane and Kronoberg, recorded higher excess mortality in November than during the spring months.
