Overall mortality rates in the first half of 2026 were lower than in any previous first half of the year among men and women.
This is according to the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI), which publishes frequent mortality analysis for England and Wales.
While mortality rates among the general population have steadily improved since the pandemic, the one outlier has been middle-aged men, but life expectancy among this age group is also now improving.
Middle-aged males
Data provided by CMI Mortality Projections Committee chairman Steve Bale to Health & Protection reveals mortality for males aged 45-64 in the first half of 2026 was 3% lower than in the first half of 2025 and 3.3% lower than the 2016-2025 10-year average for the first half of the year which includes the pandemic period. This was in line with mortality in the first half of 2012, the previous record low for the time of year.
Across all age groups, there were around 40,300 deaths involving influenza or pneumonia registered in the first half of 2026, lower than the range of 47,700 to 51,500 seen in the first halves of 2023 to 2025.
There were around 800 deaths recorded in the first half of 2026 involving Covid-19, compared to 11,700, 5,300 and 2,300 in the first halves of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Record lows
Bale said: “Mortality for the first half of the year is at record lows in 2026 for all age groups considered in the mortality monitor, helped by continuing lower flu and pneumonia deaths.”