This dataset contains estimates of excess mortality from the COVID-19 pandemic for global populations during the period of January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021. Excess mortality is defined as the net difference between the number of deaths during the pandemic (measured by observed or estimated all-cause mortality) and the number of deaths that would be expected based on past trends in all-cause mortality. The dataset also includes reported COVID-19 deaths (or deaths attributable to the virus), the reported COVID-19 mortality rate and the ratio between excess mortality rate and reported COVID-19 mortality rate for the same time period. The ratio of excess mortality rate to reported COVID-19 mortality is a measurement of undercounting of the true mortality impact of the pandemic. Methods and limitations for the model for estimating excess mortality can be found in detail in the publication.