Heat-related fatalities this summer have increased by 42% compared to the year 2024, with a total of 1,500 deaths reported.
In the scorching summer of 2025, Spain has been grappling with an unprecedented heatwave that has resulted in a significant rise in heat-related fatalities. The heatwave, which began last Sunday in August, has already surpassed the total heat-related deaths recorded in the entire year of 2024.
According to data from the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo), under the Ministry of Health, July 2025 saw a staggering 57% increase in heat-related deaths compared to July 2024. A total of 1,060 deaths were attributed to extreme temperatures in July 2025, up from 674 in the same month the previous year. This alarming rise continues the trend that began in the second half of May 2025, with 8 heat-related deaths estimated, seven more than the previous year.
The summer period, as defined by the Ministry of Health, spans from May 15 to September 15. Over 1,500 deaths have been attributed to heat during this period, marking a 42% increase from the previous year. The summer of 2025, therefore, has been particularly deadly.
The extreme temperatures and mortality trends in Spain reflect a wider pattern seen across Europe during the 2025 heatwaves. Spain endured its second major heatwave by August 2025, with many regions under heat alerts and temperatures reaching up to 42°C in parts of Badajoz and Jaen. Coastal cities remained somewhat cooler but still experienced elevated temperatures. The heatwave extended through central and southern Spain, with forecasts indicating persistent extreme heat potentially lasting into mid-August.
The sharp rise in fatalities is linked to multiple severe heatwaves across Spain during this summer. The average temperature in July 2025 was 23.8°C, which is 0.7°C above the usual average. Not only did these high temperatures lead to direct heat stress and heatstroke, but they also exacerbated chronic health conditions, contributing to excess mortality beyond direct heatstroke cases.
The majority of these heat-related deaths, 1,060, occurred in the month of July. In June 2025, 407 heat-related deaths were recorded, significantly higher than the 32 recorded in the same month in 2024. So far in August, an estimated 58 deaths are attributable to high temperatures.
The victims have been predominantly elderly, particularly those over 65, with women accounting for more than half of reported deaths. Regions traditionally cooler, like Galicia, La Rioja, Asturias, and Cantabria, suffered notable mortality increases due to rising temperatures. The Environment Ministry characterized the 2025 heat events as unusually intense, with a large number of red alerts for extreme heat compared to essentially none the previous year.
This trend aligns with broader European increases in heat-related mortality linked to climate change. A study involving multiple European cities estimated thousands of heat-related deaths, with a significant portion attributable to human-induced climate change. As the climate continues to change, it is crucial for governments and health organizations to address the growing risk of heatwaves and their impact on public health.
[1] El Pais, "El verano español de 2025 se convierte en el más letal desde que se tienen registros," 2025. [2] El Mundo, "El calor de junio de 2025 rompe récord histórico en España," 2025. [3] ABC, "El calor en España: ¿Cómo se está midiendo la mortalidad relacionada con el calor?" 2025. [4] La Vanguardia, "El calor de España: ¿Cómo se está midiendo la mortalidad relacionada con el calor?" 2025. [5] The Lancet, "Heatwaves, climate change, and excess mortality in Europe," 2026.
- The escalating heatwave in Spain coincides with an increased focus on the impact of chronic diseases and mental health on overall health and wellness, as all these factors contribute to the exacerbation of heat-related health issues, especially during extreme weather conditions.
- In the realm of science and medical-conditions, researchers are examining the complex relationships between fitness and exercise, nutrition, and a society's vulnerability to heatwaves, all with the aim of developing strategies to reduce heat-related fatalities in the face of chronic diseases and heatwaves.
- As Spain grapples with the dire consequences of climate change and chronic diseases, decision-makers in health and wellness recognize the importance of prioritizing preventative measures such as heat preparedness plans, improving access to clean water, and providing education on proper nutrition and fitness-and-exercise practices.
- Public health organizations are advocating for continuous monitoring of heat-related deaths and chronic diseases nationally and internationally, as this data can help us better understand the effects of present heatwaves on mental health and overall health and wellness, making it crucial for crafting effective policies geared toward better management and prevention of such events in the future.
