The numbers and trends
In 2013, 330 natural triggered disasters1 were registered. This was both less than the average annual disaster frequency observed from 2003 to 2012 (388), and represented a decrease in associated human impacts of disasters which were, in 2013, at their lowest level since 16 years. However, natural disasters still killed a significant number of people (21,610) but largely below the annual average between 2003-2012 (106,654) and 96.5 million people became victims worldwide, which was also below the 2003-2012 annual average (216 million) (see Figure 1). Like the other indicators, economic damages from natural disasters also show, in 2013, a decrease to average levels (2013 US $ 156.7 billion), with estimates placing the costs at US$ 118.6 billion.
