4,906 persons died in the A.C. of the Basque Country in the first quarter of 2006, 19.4% fewer than the same period the year before, according to EUSTAT data. By provinces, 594 persons died in Álava with a 19.3% decrease, 2,733 in Bizkaia (-18.8%) and 1,579 en Gipuzkoa (-20.5%).

Traditionally, the first quarter of the year is characterised by having the highest number of deaths, respiratory system diseases registering the highest increases in the number of deaths. This year, however, there has been a substantial decrease with regard to the same quarter in 2005, 44.7% to be precise.

In addition, circulatory system diseases decreased by 18.9% in the first quarter of 2006 with regard to the same quarter the year before. 1,536 persons died from this cause, which makes it the main cause, as it affected almost a third of all deaths.

The second cause of death was tumours, which led to 1,368 deaths (27.9%) and in third place were respiratory diseases, which over the winter months caused 543 deaths (11.1%).

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

Among the deaths that took place in the third quarter of 2006, 13 corresponded to under one year olds, 5 boys and 8 girls.

The natural population growth in the first quarter of 2006 was negative, with a loss of 62 persons. By Provinces there were positive balances in Alava and Gipuzkoa, which increased their populations by108 and 92 inhabitants, respectively. In the case of Bizkaia, however, the number of deaths was higher than that of births (-262).

Table 1. Deaths in the A.C. of Euskadi by sex, according to cause of death. Quarterly comparison.

Source: EUSTAT