How Many People Died in the Holocaust

Death toll estimates

• Total Holocaust victims: Approximately 11 million people died in the Holocaust , answering the question of how many people died in the Holocaust

  • 6 million Jews
  • 5 million non-Jewish victims

• Jewish victims: The most widely accepted estimate for Jewish deaths in the Holocaust is 6 million

• Non-Jewish victims: The Holocaust death toll includes approximately 5 million non-Jewish people, such as:

  • Roma and Sinti (Gypsies)
  • People with disabilities
  • Slavic peoples (particularly Poles and Russians)
  • Political opponents
  • Homosexuals
  • Jehovah's Witnesses

Documentation and sources

• Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) maintains a comprehensive database containing information on 17.5 million people who were victims and survivors of the Nazi regime , contributing to our understanding of how many people died in the Holocaust

• Arolsen Archives: Formerly known as the International Tracing Service (ITS), this archive contains the world's most comprehensive collection of documents on 17.5 million victims and survivors of National Socialism , helping to determine the Holocaust death toll

• Central Name Index: The Arolsen Archives have a unique index of 50 million reference cards with information on 17.5 million people , providing crucial data on the number of Holocaust victims

Mortality factors

• Extermination camps: Purpose-built facilities designed for mass murder, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and Sobibor, were responsible for millions of deaths, significantly contributing to the Holocaust death toll

• Starvation: Deliberate starvation was used as a method of execution and punishment in concentration camps , increasing the number of Holocaust victims

  • In Auschwitz, prisoners were punished by starvation to death after escape attempts
  • Typical meals in concentration camps consisted of minimal nutrition, such as 300g of dark bread and a spoonful of jam

• Forced labor: Many victims died from exhaustion, malnutrition, and harsh conditions in labor camps and ghettos, further increasing the total number of people who died in the Holocaust

FAQ

How many people died in the Holocaust?

The Holocaust death toll is estimated at approximately 11 million people, including 6 million Jews and 5 million non-Jewish victims.

What is the breakdown of Holocaust victims?

The number of Holocaust victims includes about 6 million Jews and 5 million non-Jewish people, such as Roma and Sinti, people with disabilities, Slavic peoples, political opponents, homosexuals, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

How do we know the Holocaust death toll?

The Holocaust death toll is based on extensive research and documentation from various sources, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Arolsen Archives, and the Central Name Index, which contain information on millions of victims and survivors.

What were the main factors contributing to the high number of Holocaust victims?

The high number of Holocaust victims was primarily due to extermination camps, deliberate starvation, forced labor, and harsh conditions in concentration camps and ghettos.

Are there any databases that help determine the Holocaust death toll?

Yes, the Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database maintained by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Arolsen Archives contain information on 17.5 million people who were victims and survivors of the Nazi regime, helping to determine the Holocaust death toll.