High-income countries have recorded the most deaths - but vaccines have changed the picture

Death rate per million people

High-income countries like Italy and the UK suffered high death tolls in the first wave

Deaths in upper-middle countries like Brazil remained high through 2020

Upper-

middle

Rich countries curbed deaths through vaccines

Lower-middle and low-income countries saw in increased share of global deaths in summer 2021

High-income countries like Italy and the UK suffered high death tolls in the first wave

After high death rates during the first two waves, high-income countries managed to curb deaths through vaccination

Death rate

per million

people

Deaths in upper-middle countries like Brazil remained high through the northern hemisphere’s 2020 summer

Lower-middle and low-income countries shouldered an increased share of global deaths in summer 2021

High-income countries like Italy and the UK suffered high death tolls in the first wave

After the highest level of recorded deaths during the first two waves, high-income countries managed to curb deaths through quick vaccine procurement

High-income countries' death rate peaked at 6.8 per million people on 26 January

Deaths in upper-middle countries like Brazil remained high through the northern hemisphere’s summer in 2020

Lower-middle and low-income countries shouldered an increased share of global deaths in summer 2021