What has killed the most humans in history?
Approved answer
Historical Epidemics and Death Toll
Throughout history, several epidemics and pandemics have caused significant loss of life. Below is a summary of some of the deadliest:
- Spanish Flu: estimated between 17 to 100 million deaths.
- Plague of Justinian: believed to have claimed 15 to 100 million lives.
- Black Death: resulted in approximately 25 to 50 million fatalities.
- HIV/AIDS pandemic: accounted for 43 million deaths (as of 2024).