Munich Re says that natural catastrophe losses were far lower in 2009 than in 2008, due to the absence on the whole of major catastrophes and a very benign North Atlantic hurricane season.

The reinsurer said that in spite of that, the total number of destructive natural hazard events was above the long-term average, with 850 being recorded in all. The average number of natural hazard events with relevant losses over the past ten years was approximately 770 each year.

Despite the lack of really disastrous events, there were substantial economic losses of $50 billion and insured losses of $22 billion. In 2008, natural disasters brought economic losses of $200 billion and insured losses of $50 billion.

In an average year, economic losses due to catastrophes came to around $115 billion and insured losses average $36 billion.

The average year also sees about 75,000 deaths due to natural catastrophes, but 2009’s death toll of about 10,000 was well below average.