Number of Drowning Deaths
38% decrease
in drowning deaths in the Region between 2000 and 2019 (from 120 000 to 74 000 deaths per year).
Photo credit: WHO / Yoshi Shimizu
In 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted its first ever resolution on drowning prevention. The resolution accepts the invitation of the United Nations General Assembly for WHO to coordinate actions within the UN system on drowning prevention and facilitate the observance of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July each year. To mark this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, WHO will continue to focus on raising awareness on drowning as a public health issue, reminding people that anyone can drown, but no one should.