• Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, claiming about 236,000 lives each year.

• Over 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with children under the age of five at highest risk.

• Drowning rates in the African Regions of Uganda and Ghana are estimated to be the highest in the world.

(Source: CDC, 2025)

• Every year, over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur in the United States.

• The national age-adjusted drowning death rate (2018–2021) was 1.31 deaths per 100,000 people.

• Drowning death rates vary widely by state. Learn more about drowning rates in your state here.

• Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.

• It is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14.

• About 40% of drowning deaths among children ages 5–14 occur in natural water settings.

• More than half of fatal and non-fatal drownings among people 15 years and older happen in natural or open water—including lakes, rivers, and oceans.

• 79% of children in families with incomes under $50,000 have no or low swimming experience. 

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Drowning

Drowning impacts all communities, but the risk is not equal. Deep-rooted inequities in access to swim education, safe swimming areas, and water safety resources have created stark racial disparities in drowning rates.

• American Indian or Alaska Native individuals under age 30 have drowning death rates 2x higher than White individuals.

• The highest disparity is among ages 25–29, with rates 3.5x higher than their White peers.

• Black individuals under age 30 have drowning death rates 1.5x higher than White individuals.

• Children ages 5–9: 2.6x higher than White individuals

• Children ages 10–14: 3.6x higher than White individuals

Drowning Risks in Natural and Open Water

• About 40% of drowning deaths among children ages 5–14 occur in natural water (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans).

• More than half of all fatal and non-fatal drownings among people ages 15 and older happen in natural or open waters.

• In 2022, approximately 85% of people who drowned while boating were not wearing a life jacket.

• In natural water, American Indian or Alaska Native people under 30 have drowning death rates 2.7× higher than White individuals.

Public and Residential Pools

• In swimming pools, Black children ages 10–14 drown at rates 7.6× higher than White children.

• Black children and youth are more likely to drown in public pools, while White children and youth are more likely to drown in residential pools.

(Source: CDC, 2025)

The Hidden Toll of Non-Fatal Drowning

• Non-fatal drownings can lead to severe long-term health problems, including:

  • Brain damage

  • Long-term disability

  • Costly hospital stays

• For every child under 18 who dies from drowning, 7 more receive emergency department care for non-fatal drowning.

• Nearly 40% of drowning cases treated in emergency departments require:

  • A hospital stay

  • Or transfer for further care

• This rate is 3× higher than for most other unintentional injuries.