Natural catastrophes: Statistics

Great natural catastrophes, 1950—2005

A comparison of the annual figures verifies the serious increase in great natural catastrophes. The frequency of these events more than doubled between 1960 and 2005. The 276 great natural catastrophes in the period under observation are attributed in almost equal proportions to earthquake/volcanic eruption, windstorm, and flood. The most fatalities were caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions (55%). Economic losses have increased by a factor of 6.7, insured losses by a factor of 13.5, and the trend remains an upward one. As far as insured losses are concerned, windstorm losses are way ahead, accounting for hearly 80% of the US$ 340bn total.

Natural catastrophes in Germany, 1970—2005

The trend of increasing natural catastrophes first emerged in 1970. It relates both to the frequency of events and to the losses they generate. Of the 640 events that occurred between 1970 and 2005, windstorms lead the field in every respect. They were the most frequent events (66%), caused the most fatalities (72%), and generated the largest losses (economic 49% and insured 74%). Floods come second in this gloomy table, followed by other causes like wildland fires, winter damage, and avalanches.

Natural catastrophes, 2005

There was an almost constant increase in the number of natural catastrophes from one month to the next in 2005. Of the 650 events occurring throughout the world that year, 42% were due to windstorms, 26% to floods, 18% to other events, and 14% to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Almost 90% of the fatalities were caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The losses were mainly caused by windstorms (87% of the economic losses, 96% of the insured losses).