The provisional figure for deaths in 2001 came to 17,487, 9,310
of which were male and 8,177 female. While lacking data on deaths of residents
of the A.C. of the Basque Country occurring outside the Community, there were
193 fewer deaths than in 2000 under the same conditions, which represents a
1.1% fall, according to Eustat data.
With the provisional data for 2001, there were more births
than deaths for the first time since 1990 by 18 persons and the natural population
growth of the A.C. of the Basque Country was positive. By Provinces, there were
positive balances in Alava and Gipuzkoa, which increased in population by 299
and 432 inhabitants, respectively. In the case of Bizkaia, on the other hand,
the number of deaths was higher than births (-713) but the negative balance
decreased by almost 50% with regard to the year 2000.
31.3% of deaths occurring in 2001, 5,476 deaths, were due to
circulatory system diseases; followed by tumours, with 30.7% (5,369 deaths),
and thirdly, at some distance, respiratory diseases, which represented 9.1%
(1,597).
The reason for deaths was different according to sex, as among
males there were more tumours than circulatory system diseases, while among
women the main cause of death was cardio-vascular diseases followed by tumours.
Among the deaths that occurred in 2001, 54 corresponded to
children under one year of age, 35 males and 19 females.