The 3,867 deaths in the third quarter of 2005 represented a 5.4% decrease with regard to the same period the year before, according to Eustat data. By provinces, 510 people died in Álava, 2,171 in Bizkaia and 1,186 in Gipuzkoa.

The main cause of death was tumours: 1,286 people died of this cause (33.3%); followed in order of importance by circulatory system diseases, which led to 1,082 deaths (28%). The third cause was respiratory diseases, which over these three months caused 319 deaths (8.2%).

The cause of death was different according to sex, as among males tumours caused more deaths than circulatory system diseases, while among women the main cause was cardiovascular diseases and in second place tumours. Respiratory system diseases were the third cause of death for both sexes.

Among the deaths that occurred in the third quarter of 2005, only 3 corresponded to children under one year of age, 2 boys and 1 girl.

Natural population growth was positive in the third quarter of 2005, with an increase in population of 1,004 persons. In the three provinces there were positive balances: Alava increased in population by 92 inhabitants, Bizkaia by 307 and Gipuzkoa by 505.