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Record low mortality rates so far in 2026, says CMI

9 July 2026

The Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) publishes frequent mortality analysis for England & Wales through its mortality monitors. Today’s update covers death registrations to 26 June 2026. 

The key points are:    

  • Overall mortality rates in the first half of 2026 were lower than in any previous first half of the year for males and females.
  • 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 as involving COVID-19, compared to 11,700, 5,300 and 2,300 in the first halves of 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Steve Bale FIA C.Act, Chair of the CMI Mortality Projections Committee, 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.” 

All mortality monitor updates are publicly available on the mortality monitor page.

~ENDS~

Notes to editors

1. The CMI publishes mortality monitors regularly:

  • We publish a summary monitor monthly, every four or five weeks, without a press release. The next is planned for week 31 of 2026 on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
  • Each quarter we publish more detail, accompanied by a press release. The next is planned for the end of the third quarter of 2026, in October 2026. 

2. Death certification reforms were implemented on 9 September 2024:

  • Following the reforms, the five-day period for registering a death starts on the date that the registrar receives a signed medical certificate of cause of death from the medical examiner, or relevant notification from the coroner. 
  • Previously, deaths should legally have been registered within five days of the death occurring or the date on which a body was found (including weekends and bank holidays), unless a coroner was involved. 

 

Contact

Hannah Patmore, Communications Manager, IFoA  
Tel: 07519106714  
Email: hannah.patmore@actuaries.org.uk  

 

About the Continuous Mortality Investigation

Continuous Mortality Investigation Limited (‘the CMI’) is wholly owned by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries but has an independent executive and management.

The CMI’s mission is to produce high-quality impartial analysis, standard tables and models of mortality and morbidity for long-term insurance products and pension scheme liabilities on behalf of subscribers and, in doing so, to further actuarial understanding.

 

About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries 

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.  

Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial.  As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest.   

Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues. 

Members of the IFoA have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s of London. 

Members are governed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of actuaries in society. 

The IFoA is available to provide independent expert comment to the media on a range of actuarial-related issues, including COVID-19 and its long term consequences, mortality, pensions, life and general insurance, health and care, finance and investment, climate change and sustainability, systems thinking, uncertainty and judgement, and risk management.