The Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) has reported that mortality in England and Wales reached record lows in 2025, with deaths in Q3 lower than in any other quarter since records began.
According to the CMI's latest mortality monitor, covering data to Sept. 26, 2025, overall mortality in Q3 was lower than the previous record set in Q3 2020, following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Across the first three quarters of 2025, mortality was lower than in the same period of any previous year and 1.4% lower than in 2024. While most age groups saw continued improvements, males aged 45 to 64 years remain an exception, with mortality still higher than in any year from 2011 to 2019, despite some post-pandemic improvement.
Deaths involving COVID-19 have also declined sharply. Around 3,200 deaths were registered in the first three quarters of 2025, representing fewer than 1% of all deaths during the period. This compares to about 7,600 in 2024 and 13,600 in 2023.
CMI Mortality Projections Committee Chair Cobus Daneel said mortality this summer was lower than ever before, even with heatwaves recorded across the UK. He noted that most age groups have seen mortality fall over the past year, though males aged 45–64 continue to see record rates above pre-pandemic levels.
The CMI added that results by age should be treated with caution due to potential delays between deaths occurring and being registered, which may have affected age groups differently.
The CMI, part of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), produces mortality and morbidity analyses widely used by life insurers and reinsurers. Its data helps firms monitor longevity trends, price protection products, and adjust assumptions used in reserving and capital models.
For life insurers, record-low mortality rates may reduce short-term claim volumes in protection portfolios, though the persistence of elevated mortality among middle-aged males highlights ongoing health and socioeconomic disparities. Reinsurers may also use the data to reassess pricing for longevity and mortality covers, particularly if improvements remain consistent across multiple quarters.
The next quarterly mortality update is scheduled for January 2026, while the next monthly summary is expected on Nov. 12, 2025.
