Press release 30/09/2011

MORTALITY STATISTICS OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY (EDEF) 1st QUARTER OF 2011

Deaths in the Basque Country rose by 4.3% in the first quarter of 2011

Tumours and circulatory system diseases were the main cause of death

In the first quarter of 2011, the number of deaths in the Basque Country rose to 5180, 4.3% more that the figure for the same period last year, according to Eustat data. By territory, in Araba/Álava, 668 people died, representing an increase of 10.4%, whilst 2843 died in Bizkaia (3.7%) and 1669 in Gipuzkoa (3.1%)

The main causes of death were tumours and circulatory system diseases, accounting for the deaths of 1544 and 1542 people, respectively, whereby, considered together, these two causes are responsible for 60% of deaths.

The third highest cause of death is attributable to respiratory diseases, accounting for 522 deaths (10.1%), and the fourth highest cause, to illnesses relating to the digestive system, which in the months of January, February and March were responsible for 236 deaths (4.6%).

Deaths resulting from respiratory illnesses rose by 16.5%

Traditionally, the majority of deaths occur in the summer months, wherein respiratory illnesses usually register the highest increase in comparison to the remaining quarters. In keeping with this tradition, in the first quarter of 2011, 522 people died as a result of respiratory illnesses, 16.5% more than in the same quarter last year (448 deaths) and 17.3% more than in the preceding quarter (445 deaths).

Cause of death remains distinct in terms of gender, as, amongst men, tumours account for more deaths than circulatory system diseases, whilst, amongst women, the main cause of death was cardiovascular disease, followed by tumours. Respiratory illnesses maintain their position as the third highest cause of death amongst both sexes.

Amongst the deaths that occurred in the first quarter of 2011, 11 entailed minors who were less than one year old: 8 girls and 3 boys.

The rate of natural increase in the Basque Country was negative in the first quarter of 2011, with a population decrease of 148 people. Bizkaia was responsible for this negative balance, as the number of deaths in this province was higher than the number of births, with a difference of 291 individuals. However, Araba/Álava and Gipuzkoa witnessed a population increase of 124 and 19 inhabitants, respectively.



For further information:

Basque Statistics Office C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz Tel: +34-945-01 75 00 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 E-mail: eustat@eustat.es Contact: Martín González Hernández Tel:+34-945-01 75 49 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 Further press releases on MORTALITY STATISTICS of the Basque Country Databank on the Mortality Statistics of the Basque Country