4,331 deaths occurred during the second quarter of 2004, meaning a fall of 5.5% in relation to the same period of last year, according to Eustat data. By province, 552 people died in Álava, 2,410 in Bizkaia and 1,369 in Gipuzkoa.

The main cause of death was circulatory system illness, of which 1,302 people died (30,1%); this was very closely followed by the next most common cause, which was tumours, giving rise to 1,298 deaths (30%). In third place was respiratory illness, causing 413 deaths over these three months (9.5%).

The cause of death differed according to sex, since among men, tumours were more common, followed by circulatory system illnesses, whereas among women, the main causes were cardiovascular illnesses and secondly, tumours.

Of the deaths to take place during the second quarter of 2004, 18 corresponded to children aged less than one year old, 10 boys and 8 girls.

The natural population growth of the A.C. of the Basque Country in the second quarter of 2004 was positive, with an increase of 577 people. There were positive balances in all three provinces, with Alava increasing its population by 172, by 138 in Bizkaia and 267 in Gipuzkoa.