Cred says over 16,000 people died in 358 natural disasters worldwide in 2025

ISLAMABAD: A total of 358 natural hazard-related disasters were recorded worldwide in 2025, leaving more than 16,000 people dead, affecting 110.2 million people and causing economic losses of $169.68 billion, according to the Emergency Events Database maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (Cred).

Cred, based at the University of Louvain in Belgium, compiles data on major disasters to support research, humanitarian action, evidence-based planning for disaster preparedness and response, and disaster risk reduction. The database is also used to assess community vulnerability and help shape policy priorities.

As per details, Asia accounted for a particularly large share of disaster-related deaths in 2025, mainly because of major earthquakes in Myanmar and Afghanistan. The year also saw a record drought in Syria that left 80 per cent of the population in need of assistance. In the United States, the Palisades and Eaton Fires were listed among the most expensive wildfires ever recorded, both globally and nationally.

Pakistan among most affected countries

Cred data showed that Pakistan was among the ten countries with the highest number of affected people in 2025. From June to September, the country went through a series of floods caused by an intense monsoon season that peaked in mid-August.

According to the data, the floods caused 1,037 deaths in Pakistan and affected 6.9 million people. The monsoon flooding caused over 1,000 deaths and affected 6.9 million people.

Cred noted that the 2025 impact figures are still evolving and may be revised. Reporting delays meant that many deaths linked to heatwaves, including those in Pakistan, India and Europe, had not yet been included. It also said drought-related deaths had not yet been fully counted.

Regional breakdown

Data on natural disasters showed that Asia recorded 175 disasters in 2025, followed by the Americas with 93 and Africa with 63. The database also listed 33 natural disasters in the United States, 22 in Europe, 20 in Indonesia, 16 in India, 16 in the Philippines, 14 in Vietnam, 14 in Thailand, 10 in Brazil, 8 in Madagascar, 7 in Malaysia and 5 in Oceania.

Asia accounted for 72.8pc of deaths caused by natural disasters and recorded economic losses of $53.6bn. The Americas, meanwhile, suffered losses of $110.6bn.

Deadliest disasters of the year

Cred identified the earthquakes in Myanmar and Afghanistan as the two deadliest disasters of 2025. In Myanmar, the earthquake caused at least 3,820 deaths and led to economic losses of $11bn. In Afghanistan, the earthquake caused an estimated 2,200 deaths.