5,212 people died in the first quarter of 2002 in the A.C. of the Basque Country, 14.1% more than in the same period the previous year. By provinces, 605 people died in Álava , 2,877 in Bizkaia and 1,730 in Gipuzkoa.
Traditionally the first quarter of the year is characterised by a higher number of registered deaths, this year the increase in deaths due to respiratory system diseases stood out, 59.3% higher than the previous quarter.
The main cause of death is circulatory system diseases: 1,562 people died of this cause (30%); followed by tumours, as the second cause of death, which led to 1,404 deaths (26.9%). In third place were respiratory diseases, which in these winter months were the cause of 704 deaths.
The cause of death differed according to the sex of the deceased, as tumours were more common among males than circulatory system diseases, while among females the main cause of death was cardiovascular diseases followed by tumours.
Of the deaths that occurred in the first quarter of 2002, 14 corresponded to children under one year of age, 9 boys and 5 girls.
The natural population growth in the first quarter of 2002 was negative, with a loss in population of 958 persons. There were negative balances in the three Provinces as the population of Alava, Bizkaia and Guipuzkoa fell by 41, 655 and 262 inhabitants, respectively.