The 4,227 deaths in the second quarter of 2002 represent an 18.9% fall with regard to the total figure of deaths for the previous three months, as the winter period is the time when the highest mortality figures are registered for the whole year. By Provinces, 478 persons died in Álava, 2,357 in Bizkaia and 1,392 in Gipuzkoa.
The main cause of death was circulatory system diseases: 1,312 persons died of this cause (31%); followed in second place by tumours, which led to 1,291 deaths (30.5%); third place is held by respiratory diseases, which caused 391 deaths over these months (9.2%).
The cause of death was different according to sex, as among males tumours were more common than circulatory system diseases, while among females the main cause was cardiovascular diseases followed by tumours.
Among the deaths registered in the second quarter of 2002, 15 corresponded to children under one year of age, 9 girls and 6 boys.
The natural population growth in the second quarter of 2002 was positive, with an increase in population of 354 persons. Apart from the positive balances in Alava and Gipuzkoa with 176 and 162 persons, for the first time there was also a positive balance in Bizkaia in the quarter, although growth was limited to a total of 16 persons.