The World Health Organization estimates the true death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic is about 15 million worldwide.
That’s 9.5 million more deaths than has been officially reported.
The WHO says the toll is based on a calculation looking at the difference between actual deaths and the number expected if the pandemic never struck.
The total number of deaths associated with #COVID19 worldwide from 2020-2021 may be closer to 14.9 million: New estimates by WHO & @UNDESA.
That’s 9.5 million more deaths than reported https://t.co/qDvaA6t5KZ #HealthData pic.twitter.com/ZjABJzlgiZ
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 5, 2022
The WHO says roughly 13 million to 17 million deaths took place between January 1st, 2020, and December 31st, 2021.
It considers deaths caused directly by the virus and indirectly due to the strain on healthcare and society.
