4,730 people died in the A.C. of the Basque Country in the fourth quarter of 2004, 1.7% more than in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to Eustat data. By province, there were 567 deaths in Alava, 2,612 in Bizkaia and 1,551 in Gipuzkoa.

The provisional total number of deaths for 2004 came to 18,101, of which 9,430 were men and 8,671 women. In relation to the previous year 457 less deaths were registered, meaning a fall of 2.5%.

30.5% of the deaths that took place in 2004, which is to say 5,525, were due to circulatory system diseases. Next came cancers, with 29.5% (5,340 deaths) and, thirdly, although further behind, respiratory diseases, which accounted for 9.6% (1,740).

The cause of death was different according to sex, with cancers outnumbering circulatory system diseases among men, whereas for women the main cause was cardiovascular disease, followed by cancers.

Of the deaths that took place in 2004, 68 corresponded to children under one year old, 33 boys and 35 girls. Elsewhere, there was a significant rise in the number of people who died aged 100 or over, which went from 56 in 1990 to 109 (12 men and 97 women).

According to the provisional figures for 2004, the number of births exceeded deaths by 1,347 and natural population growth for the A.C. of the Basque Country was positive. By province, the balance was positive in Alava and Gipuzkoa, coming to 595 and 885 respectively. In the case of Bizkaia, on the other hand, deaths outnumbered births (-133).