This annual Health Insurance Report emphasizes that “more than half of deaths” occur in employees under 25 years of age.
This is an increase of five deaths compared to 2023 and 26 more than in 2022. At least 764 people died as a result of work accidents in France in 2024, according to the Health Insurance annual report, a figure that continues to grow and does not include farmers or civil servants.
In 2024, Health Insurance’s annual report on occupational risks, published in mid-November, listed 1,297 work-related deaths, all claims combined. Among these deaths, 764 deaths were caused by work accidents, 318 deaths were caused by commuting accidents, and 215 deaths were caused by work-related diseases.
The report highlights that “more than 20% of deaths (after work accidents) occur in the year after they start work” and for employees under 25 years of age, this figure accounts for “more than half of deaths”.
Farm operators and workers are not included in the data
Without preventing this increase in deaths, the frequency of work accidents will decrease by 1.1% in 2024 to 26.4 accidents per 1,000 employees.
Please note that this data does not apply to all workers, because it only applies to workers in the private sector who are affiliated with the general scheme. Excluded are agricultural operators and employees (agricultural regime), public sector employees (who are covered by their administration) and self-employed people who have not taken out voluntary insurance.
The report shows an increase in work accidents among women, by +26% since 2001, but this is offset by a decrease among men (-40%).
Occupational diseases increased by 6.7%, especially musculoskeletal disorders (+6.6%), asbestos-related diseases (+8.5%) and psychological diseases (+9%). The number of work-related mental illnesses will double between 2020 and 2024.
“Profit before health”
“1,297: France hits record number of workplace deaths in 2024,” wrote European parliamentarian (LFI) Anthony Smith, also a labor inspector, on his X account. “And non-accounting is huge (public sector, Uberized workers, etc.). Macronie inaction is guilty!”.
“These accidents and deaths are a reflection of a pathogenic work organization founded to prioritize profits over the health, safety and lives of workers,” the Solidaires union responded in a press release, stressing that “vulnerabilities and increasing subcontracting are also increasing the number of injured people.”
The unions in particular demanded the re-establishment of the CHSCT (health, safety and working conditions committee) “whose prerogatives have been largely eased by their integration into the social committee”.
