How many people died in the Black Death?

History hard Data from 1351

Guess before you scroll — the answer is below

Answer in people. Shorthand like 9m or 1.2bn works.

The answer

75,000,000 people

Roughly 75M.

The Black Death killed an estimated 75 million people between 1347 and 1351, roughly a third to half of Europe’s population. Labour became so scarce afterwards that wages rose sharply — historians widely credit it with helping end serfdom.

Where this number comes from

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica / historical demography research
Figure refers to 1351
Last checked
Unit people

Numbers move. If this one has drifted from its source, let us know.

Think you can do better?

Five fresh questions every day. No account needed.

Play today’s puzzle

Related questions