Drowning Statistics UK: Water Fatalities and Trends (2026)

How many accidental water deaths were recorded?

WAID recorded 202 accidental water-related fatalities in 2025, compared with 193 in 2024. The difference is nine deaths, or a calculated 4.7% increase.

The all-cause 2025 total was 587. That broader total includes other recorded outcomes. WAID classifications can change as cases are resolved, and older records have had more time for review; the year-to-year figures reflect those recording conditions.

Where and when did fatalities occur?

Inland waters accounted for 57% of cases in the location analysis. Location percentages use cases included in that chart, rather than every case in the headline total.

Men accounted for 85% of accidental fatalities. August had the highest monthly count in the 2025 summary, and males aged 60–69 had the highest count and population rate in the age analysis.

What the water-fatality figures include

Water-related fatalities can involve recreation, everyday activities and other circumstances. Fatality counts measure deaths; rescues and non-fatal drowning incidents require separate records.

Some chart analyses exclude cases with missing information. For example, the 2024 location and activity charts each used 160 cases and excluded 33 from the headline accidental total of 193. The 2024 activity figure of 37% referred to everyday activities such as walking, running and commuting.

Cold water and unexpected immersion

Water below 15°C can cause cold water shock, affecting breathing and movement. Inland water can remain cold even when the air feels warm.

RNLI advice for someone in difficulty is to float: tilt the head back with ears submerged, relax breathing and move the hands and legs gently if needed. Once breathing is controlled, call for help or swim to safety if able. Floating can be practised in a supervised setting.

Understanding location and age patterns

A count identifies where deaths were recorded and which groups were affected. A population rate also takes the size of an age group into account. Assessing risk per visit or hour in the water would additionally require participation data.

These measures help explain why a high count at one location or in one age group should be read alongside the denominator used.

Frequently asked questions

How many accidental water deaths occurred in the UK in 2025?

WAID recorded 202 accidental water-related fatalities. Its category includes suspected or confirmed accidents and natural water-related causes.

Who accounted for most accidental water fatalities?

Men accounted for 85% in the 2025 summary. Males aged 60–69 had the highest count and population rate in the age analysis.

Where did most recorded accidental water fatalities happen?

Inland waters accounted for 57% of cases in the report’s location analysis, which excludes cases outside that chart’s coverage.