The Analysis

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  There were hardly any noticeable differences in the percentage breakdown of the types of event across the three main categories. The exceptions to this are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The proportion of windstorms in the three main groups is in fact absolutely identical. Overall, weather-related natural catastrophes dominated with a share of over 85% in all catastrophe ategories (Graphic: Percentage distribution of events).
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  If one considers the number of events from 1980 up to the present day in their respective categories, it can be seen that the proportion of catastrophes in category 1 has diminished while there has been a significant increase in categories 2 and 3 (Graphic: Number of events per year).
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  A similar breakdown by continent shows that Asia – the continent with the most towns and conurbations – clearly dominates in terms of the number of events. Asia experienced 4,500 events, 70% of which were socalled "small loss events". At the same time, however, Asia also experienced the greatest number of devastating and great natural catastrophes (225 events). Asia was also hardest hit in terms of the number of fatalities (800,000). Almost 90% of these fatalities were caused by events in catastrophe categories 5 and 6 (devastating and great catastrophes).

A comparison of Europe and North America (USA and Canada) shows that the two continents were affected by about the same number of natural catastrophes (Graphic: Natural catastrophes comparison between Europe and North America). However, while Europe was hit primarily by small events, North America had to contend with a greater number of severe and great natural catastrophes (categories 3–6). This trend is also reflected in the loss figures: overall losses in North America were almost three times as high as those in Europe and insured losses about four times as high. In absolute terms, more people died in Europe, but this can be largely attributed to a single event: the 2003 heatwave, which affected the whole continent. The final death toll was more than 35,000.

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