Fatal Drowning in Commonwealth Countries
The RLSS Fatal Drowning in Commonwealth Countries Fact Sheet, Issue 2, July 2025, reviews the data from the Global Health Estimates 2021, provided by the World Health Organization in 2024.
Publication of the 2025 Fact Sheet, under the leadership of Dr Aminur Rahman, the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS) Drowning Prevention Director, based with the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research Bangladesh (CIPRB), the RLSS Member in Bangladesh, gives an evidence-based estimate of fatal drownings in Commonwealth nations. This data provides a better understanding of the mortality burden in Commonwealth countries, ultimately leading to more effective prevention actions.
In 2021 over 121,000 people died from drowning in Commonwealth countries. The fatal drowning rate was 4.7 per 100,000 per year. 40% of global drowning deaths occurred in Commonwealth countries. Approximately two thirds of all drowning deaths in Commonwealth countries were males, with males at greater risk than females across all age groups. 54% of fatal drowning in Commonwealth countries occurred among children and adolescents aged 0-14 years. 34% of drowning fatalities in the Commonwealth countries occurred among children under 5 years.
The fatal drowning data for each region and country within the Commonwealth should be used to inform priorities for action. The case studies provide examples of good practice for drowning prevention in the community context. Innovations are needed to accelerate our Commonwealth drowning prevention effort. Government engagement to support community action, policy and regulation and research for drowning prevention, is helpful and needed. Countries with the lowest fatal drowning rates, have RLSS Member Organizations. The RLSS will expand support to reach countries and territories that are not members.
