The total number of deaths in the A.C. of the Basque Country in 2002 came to 18,619, 9,875 males and 8,744 females, 532 more than the previous year. This figure means a 2.9% increase in relation to 2001, according to EUSTAT data.

There were 486 more deaths than births, meaning that natural population increase was negative, as has been the case since 1990. By province, there were positive balances in Álava and Gipuzkoa, which gained 325 and 247 people respectively. On the other hand, in the case of Bizkaia, the number of deaths exceeded that of births by a wide margin (-1,058).

The average age of the deceased was 75.6, whereas in 1990 it had been 71, which is to say that there was an increase of 4.6 years. By sex, the average age of death was 71.9 for men and for women it was 79.9.

As regards infant mortality, 3.4 children of less than one year old died per thousand births. Neonatal mortality, taking place during the first 28 days, accounted for 40 deaths; 27 were due to early neonatal mortality, taking place in the first week, of which 14 happened during the first 24 hours. Among the under-ones, deaths of boys (33) were higher than deaths of girls (28).

31.6% of the deaths to take place in 2002, 5,891, were due to circulatory system illnesses; following these were deaths caused by tumours, with 29.4% (5,467 deaths), and in third place, although at a greater distance, respiratory illnesses, accounting for 10.44% (1,944).

The cause of death was different according to sex, given that for men, tumours were more numerous than circulatory system illnesses, whereas for women the main cause was cardiovascular illness and secondly, tumours.

Additionally, the cause of death varied with age. For children of less than a year old, the most common causes of death were illnesses originating in the perinatal period and congenital anomalies; up to 34 years of age, the main causes were external; from 35 to 74 tumours were the main cause and from 75 onwards it was circulatory system illnesses.

Among deaths with external causes, traffic accidents, with 269 deaths, stood out as did suicides with 187. In both cases, a greater number of men died than women: 185 men and 84 women in traffic accidents and 130 men and 57 women committed suicide.