[Fact Check] Are COVID-19 Deaths Relatively Low per 1 Million Population?

President Moon: "Number of Deaths per 1 Million People Relatively Very Low"
Worldometer Data Shows Fewer Deaths Compared to Major Countries Like the US, UK, and Japan

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] “Our country has a relatively low number of deaths per 1 million people.”

President Moon Jae-in said this on the 29th at the ‘Special COVID-19 Response Quarantine Inspection Meeting’ held at the Blue House. While expressing concern over the domestic cumulative death toll from COVID-19 surpassing 3,500, he emphasized that the ‘number of deaths per 1 million people’ is relatively low.

South Korea is recognized globally as a model country for COVID-19 quarantine. However, both confirmed cases and deaths have been increasing in line with the phased return to normal life. Recently, international concerns over the Omicron variant have intensified the sense of crisis.

The number of deaths from COVID-19 tends to be relatively higher in countries with larger populations. Therefore, the statistic that receives more attention than the absolute number of COVID-19 deaths is the number of deaths per 1 million people. This standard was established to allow relative comparison considering the population size of each country.

Based on data from Worldometer, an international COVID-19 statistics site (as of November 30), we examined the factual basis of President Moon’s remarks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Worldometer, among the 224 countries included in the statistics (including unrecognized states), South Korea ranks 169th in deaths per 1 million people. Peru, ranked first overall, recorded 5,983 deaths per 1 million people.

In South Korea, 71 deaths per 1 million people were recorded. It is important to consider that the Worldometer rankings include small city-states and unrecognized countries with small populations. Comparing with major countries helps to understand South Korea’s current status.

Among major countries, Brazil ranks 11th with 2,862 deaths per 1 million people. The United States is 20th with 2,401 deaths, the United Kingdom is 29th with 2,117 deaths, and France is 39th with 1,818 deaths.

Germany ranks 70th with 1,208 deaths, India 128th with 335 deaths, and Japan 153rd with 146 deaths. Compared to South Korea (71 deaths), these countries have relatively higher deaths per 1 million people.

On the other hand, Taiwan ranks 184th with 36 deaths, and China 208th with 3 deaths, showing that some neighboring countries of South Korea have lower deaths per 1 million people.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The number of deaths per 1 million people can be influenced by various factors such as the reliability of each country’s statistics, the frequency of statistical reporting, and whether lockdowns were implemented.

Considering South Korea’s globally trusted quarantine statistics and the fact that the quarantine was achieved without lockdowns, President Moon’s claim that the number of deaths per 1 million people is relatively low carries weight.

However, the recent trends of increasing confirmed cases and deaths in South Korea warrant close attention. According to joint data released by related government departments on the 29th, the weekly (248 deaths) and daily (52 deaths) death tolls for the fourth week of November reached record highs. If the COVID-19 situation does not improve, South Korea’s status as a leading country in quarantine could be shaken.

Although South Korea’s recent situation is serious, it is still better off compared to major countries. Based on Worldometer statistics (as of November 30), South Korea ranks 169th out of 224 countries in deaths per 1 million people.

Therefore, President Moon’s assertion that South Korea has a relatively low number of COVID-19 deaths per 1 million people is judged to be ‘generally true.’