Drowning Statistics

The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services tracks fatal drownings of children, age 17 and younger, in Texas. In 2023 there were at least 90 fatal child drownings. It is estimated that there are 8 times more non-fatal drownings than fatal drownings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

  • In the United States:

    • More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.

    • For children ages 5–14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.

  • Every year in the United States there are an estimated:

    • 4,000* fatal unintentional drownings—that is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day.

    • 8,000† nonfatal drownings—that is an average of 22 nonfatal drownings per day.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that

  • Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths.

  • There are an estimated 236 000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.

  • Global estimates may significantly underestimate the actual public health problem related to drowning.

  • Children, males and individuals with increased access to water are most at risk of drowning.

Drowning is fast and silent. No-one is drown-proof, but drowning is preventable. Please view our Water Safety Tips to help keep you and your family safer around water throughout the year.