Countries with the Most Occupational Fatalities Revealed

Workplace accidents and fatalities are a significant concern for many countries worldwide. Occupational injuries or deaths result in human suffering or loss and impact the economy through lost productivity and increased healthcare costs.

The article discovers the countries with the highest occupational fatalities rates, utilizing the latest data from the International Labour Organization.

Top 20 Countries with Most Occupational Fatalities

Here is a list of the top 20 countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities.

According to data from ILO (2022), and as shown in the graph above, the top 20 countries with the most occupational fatalities per 100k workers, in descending order, are given below:

1. Cuba

Population: 11.26 million

Labor force: 5,134,764

GDP: 107.4 billion USD (2020)

Cuba is a country located in the Caribbean region of North America. It is known for its unique political and social system, as well as its rich history and cultural heritage. Despite being relatively small, Cuba has a diverse and dynamic economy, with important sectors including tourism, biotechnology, and agriculture. However, the country is ranked as having the most occupational injuries and fatalities, with a fatality rate of 25 per 100k workers.

2. Burundi

Population: 12.55 million

Labor force: 5,271,390

GDP: 2.78 billion USD (2021)

Burundi is a landlocked country in East Africa, and its capital city is Gitega. The country has a population of around 12 million people. However, Burundi is one of the world’s poorest countries, with most of its population relying on subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture accounts for 40% of the GDP and employs 90% of its population. Talking about occupational fatalities and injuries, the country has a fatality rate of 13.8 per 100K workers.

3. Egypt

Population: 109.3 million

Labor force: 30,178,752

GDP: 404.1 billion USD (2021)

Egypt is located in North Africa, and its capital city is Cairo, one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East. It is the most populous Arab country and has a population of more than 100 million people. The official language is Arabic, and the country’s economy is largely based on agriculture, industry, and tourism. However, the country has the most occupational injuries and fatalities and has a fatality rate of 10.7 per 100K workers.

4. Costa Rica

Population: 5.154 million

Labor force: 2,426,145

GDP: $113 billion (2022)

Costa Rica is a small, rugged country in Central America. The country is known for its natural beauty, including tropical rainforests and lush green hills, and it has a population of around 5 million people. However, it is among the countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities and accounts for 9.7 fatalities per 100k workers.

5. Philippines

Population: 113.80 million

Labor force: 44,242,102

GDP: $425 billion

The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia and has over 7,000 islands. It is the 12th most populous country in the world, with a population of around 113 million. The Philippines’ economy is largely based on services and remittances from overseas Filipinos, but it also has a growing manufacturing sector. But the country faces 9.6 occupational fatalities per 100K workers and is among the countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities globally.

6. Zimbabwe

Population: 15.24 million

Labor force: 7,915,768

GDP: $38.28 billion

Zimbabwe is located in southern Africa. It is a landlocked country that has a population of around 15 million, and its capital city is Harare. The country has recently faced significant economic and political challenges, including hyperinflation, food shortages, and political unrest. Also, it is the top 6th country with the most occupational fatalities and injuries and encounters 9.6 fatalities per 100K workers.

7. Sweden

Population: 10.32 million

Labor force: 5,555,561

GDP: $603.92 billion

Sweden is in Northern Europe, bordering Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast. It is the third largest country in the European Union by area, with a population of around 10 million people. The capital city is Stockholm, and the official language is Swedish. The country encounters 8 fatalities per 100k workers and is among the top most dangerous countries having the most occupational injuries and fatalities.

8. Nicaragua

Population: 6.82 million

Labor force: 3,042,491

GDP: $40 billion

Nicaragua is located in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. It is the largest country in Central America, with a population of around 6.8 million. The capital city is Managua, and the official language is Spanish. Despite its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries in the Americas. It has recently faced significant political and social challenges and is among the top 20 countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities.

9. Mexico

Population: 132.43 million 

Labor force: 56,132,488

GDP: $1.27 trillion

Mexico is located in North America, bordered by the United States to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the south. It is the 11th most populous country in the world, with a population of around 130 million. The capital city is Mexico City, and the official language is Spanish. It is among the top most dangerous countries in occupational injuries and fatalities and accounts for almost 7.7 fatalities per 100k workers.

10. Brazil

Population: 216.28 million

Labor force: 99,470,102

GDP: US$1.894 trillion

Brazil is the largest country in South America, the fifth largest country in the world by area, and the seventh largest by population, with over 216 million people. The capital city is Brasília, and the official language is Portuguese. The country encounters over 7.4 occupational fatalities per 100k workers.

11. New Caledonia

Population: 0.30 million (292,580)

Labor force: 132,176

GDP: $10.07 billion

New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the western Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. It consists of a main island, Grand Terre, and several smaller islands. The population of New Caledonia is around 292,000, and the capital city is Nouméa. The country has a strong economy based largely on nickel mining and tourism. Also, it has a fatality rate of 7 per 100K workers.

12. Macau, China

Population: 0.7 million

Labor force: 404,520

GDP: $30.12 billion

Macau is a special administrative region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China located on the country’s southeast coast, near Hong Kong. It is a small, densely populated territory, covering just over 30 square kilometers, with a population of around 700,000. Despite its small size, it is ranked among the top 20 countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities and encounters 6.9 fatalities per 100k workers.

13. Guadeloupe

Population: 0.4 million

Labor force: 125,000

GDP: $173,673

Guadeloupe is an overseas department and region of France located in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico. It consists of a group of islands, including the two main islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre and several smaller islands. The population of Guadeloupe is around 400,000 people, and the capital city is Basse-Terre. The country encounters 6.8 fatalities per 100K workers.

14. Hong Kong, China

Population: 7.65 million

Labor force: 3,841,871

GDP: $443 billion

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China located near Macau’s southeast coast. It is a small, densely populated territory, covering just over 1,100 square kilometers, with a population of around 7.6 million. It encounters almost 6.8 occupational fatalities per 100k workers.

15. Turkey

Population: 86.68 million

Labor force: 32,554,211

GDP: $943 billion

Turkey is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, spanning both continents. It has a population of over 84 million people, and the capital city is Ankara, with Istanbul being the largest city. Turkey has a rapidly growing economy, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and services, particularly tourism. Unfortunately, it is among those countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities globally and has a fatality rate of 6.3 per 100k workers.

16. Qatar

Population: 3 million 

Labor force: 1,976,691

GDP: $258 billion

Qatar is a small, wealthy country located in the Middle East, on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a population of around 3 million, with most of its residents being expatriate workers. Qatar is a highly developed country with a strong economy based largely on its extensive oil and natural gas reserves. However, the country encounters 5.9 fatalities per 100k workers and is ranked among the top countries with the most occupational fatalities.

17. Uzbekistan

Population: 34.7 million

Labor force: 14,093,526

GDP: $74.2 billion

Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia. It has a population of around 34 million people, and the capital city is Tashkent. Despite its abundant natural resources, Uzbekistan faces several challenges, including widespread poverty, income inequality, and corruption. Also, the country faces many occupational injuries and fatalities (5.8 per 100K workers).

18. Ukraine

Population: 41.0 million

Labor force: 20,462,793

GDP: $347 billion

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe. It has a population of around 41 million, and the capital city is Kyiv. The official language is Ukrainian. Despite its potential for economic growth, Ukraine faces several challenges, including widespread poverty, political instability, ongoing conflict with Russia over the Crimean Peninsula and eastern Ukraine, and occupational injuries and fatalities, which is 5.4 per 100k workers.

19. United States

Population: 336 million

Labor force: 164,796,725

GDP: $25.46 trillion

The United States of America is a federal republic in North America, bordered by Mexico to the south and Canada to the north. It comprises 50 states, and the capital is Washington, D.C. The US is the world’s third-largest country by land area and has over 336 million people. However, the country is also among those with the most occupational injuries and fatalities, and the rate is 5.3 per 100K workers.

20. Thailand

Population: 70.35 million

Labor force: 40,206,904

GDP: $128.8 million

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar to the northwest. It has a population of around 69 million and Bangkok’s capital city. The official language is Thai. The fatality rate in Thailand is 5.3 per 100K workers, which is the least of all the countries mentioned above. However, it is still ranked as the 20th country with the most occupational injuries and fatalities globally.

Conclusion

Occupational injuries are a serious issue that affects millions of workers worldwide. The countries with the highest incidence of occupational injuries are diverse and include developed and developing nations. We have mentioned the top 20 countries with the most occupational injuries and fatalities globally. Among these, Cuba is at the top, while Thailand and the US are at the bottom with the least fatalities per 100K workers.