New drug deaths study: Hungary did exceptionally well

A new drug death study has published the number of people who have died from drug overdoses. Where in the world are the most drug-related deaths proportionately? Or where were they least experienced? Here are the answers.

Over 150,000 people die as a result of drug overdose globally every year. The research by Medical Aid analysed the number of deaths from drug use disorders and its rate per 100k people in 2019 to reveal the countries with the highest and lowest number of drug overdose deaths.

Most Deaths from Drug Overdoses per 100,000 People

United States

Deaths per 100,000 people – 22.62
Overall deaths – 74,435

At the top of the list is the United States, where there are 22.62 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people, equating to 74,435 deaths overall. In 2019, it was estimated that there are around 10.7 million people living in the U.S. who are battling a drug use disorder. This figure has nearly doubled since 1990 when there were 5.5 million people engaging in regular drug use, showing a huge increase of 91%.

Canada

Deaths per 100,000 people – 9.86
Overall deaths – 3,686

In second place is Canada, where there are 9.86 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people, with 3,686 deaths overall. Back in 1990, it was estimated that there were 511,784 people battling a drug use disorder in Canada. By 2019, this figure had increased by a considerable 54% to 789,317 people.

Australia

Deaths per 100,000 people – 7.07
Overall deaths – 1,783

Australia is in third place, where, in 2019, there were 7.07 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people and 1,783 deaths overall. Despite having the third highest number of drug-related deaths per 100,000 people, the number of Australian citizens battling a drug use disorder has only risen by 24% since 1990.

Lowest Number of Drug Related Deaths per 100,000 People

South Korea

Deaths per 100,000 people – 0.30
Overall deaths – 154

At the bottom of the list is South Korea, where there are just 0.30 deaths per 100,000 people due to drug overdoses and only 154 deaths overall. In 1990, it was estimated that 407,232 South Korean citizens were battling a drug use disorder. By 2019, this figure had actually decreased by 1% to 403,882 people.

Singapore

Deaths per 100,000 people – 0.33
Overall deaths – 19

Following closely behind is Singapore, where there are 0.33 drug-related deaths per 100,00 people and just 19 deaths overall. The country has seen a considerable increase in the number of people with a drug use problem since 1990, going from 28,941 people to 43,836 people.

Indonesia

Deaths per 100,000 people – 0.35
Overall deaths – 959

In third place is Indonesia, where, in 2019, there were 0.35 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people and 959 deaths in total. Since 1990, Indonesia has seen a 58% increase in the number of citizens battling a drug use disorder, rising from 819,142 people to over 1.2 million people.

Hungary

Deaths per 100,000 people – 0.61
Overall deaths – 59

We can be very proud of Hungary, which finished in 7th place.

Further insights:

Between 2000 and 2019 global drug overdose deaths increased 43%, from 89,718 to 128,083 deaths.

Qatar Sees Highest Increase in Drug-Related Deaths Since 2000.

The US has the Highest Number of Amphetamine-Related Deaths per 100,000 People.

Cocaine overdoses saw the biggest global increase in drug deaths since 2000 with a 160% increase, in 2019 over 4.13 million people were battling a cocaine addiction, leading to 12,779 deaths.

As we wrote before, there may be drugs in the flour, throw it out immediately if you bought it!