The number of deaths in the Basque Country increased by 3.7% in 2025, with 23,214 deaths
According to data published by Eustat, 822 more deaths have been recorded in the Basque Autonomous Community in 2025 than in 2024, an increase that has affected the three Basque territories, with this increase in mortality particularly affecting the over-80 age group, where tumors are the main cause of death.
People on the street. Photo: EFE
The number of deaths in the Basque Autonomous Community increased by 3.7% in 2025 to 23,214, according to Eustat data. There were 822 more deaths than in 2024 and tumors were the main cause.
According to the latest report, the number of deaths has increased in all territories, with 12,515 deaths in Bizkaia (3.9 per cent higher than in 2024), followed by 7,588 in Gipuzkoa (+3.6per cent) and 3,111 in Álava (+2.8per cent).
With regard to municipalities with more than 40,000 inhabitants, it is worth noting the significant increase of 15 per cent in Irun(683 deaths) and 5.3 per cent in Getxo(789 deaths). If we look at the capitals, Bilbao has 4,022 deaths (+2.8 per cent), Vitoria-Gasteiz 2,314 (+3.4 per cent) and San Sebastián has closed the year with 2,074 (+1.5 per cent).
A growing population
The average age of deaths in the CSC is 81.7 years, 1.8 years higher than a decade ago; the gender gap continues, with an average of 84.7 years for women and 78.6 years for men, with 11,835 women and 11,379 men killed in 2025.
65.8 per cent of the deceased are 80 years of age or older (15,273 persons). It should be noted that, within this group, 625 people have died at the age of 100 or older (80 more than the previous year), of whom 82.9 per cent are women. At the other end, 32 children under one year of age have died in the CSC in 2024.
Tumors are the leading cause of death.
Tumors are the leading cause of death in the Basque Country, with 26.7% of the total (6,187 deaths), followed by diseases of the circulatory system, with 25.1% (5,818 deaths). Thirdly, diseases of the respiratory system, with 2,358 cases, represent a 26.5% increase over 2024.
Tumors are the leading cause in men, while in women diseases of the circulatory system
There are more deaths than births.
The annual demographic balance confirms the ageing of Basque society , as vegetative growth — the difference between births and deaths — is negative throughout the territory of the CSC. With 9,870 deaths more than births, the population naturally decreases.
By territory, Bizkaia has the most negative balance with 5,888 fewer people, followed by Gipuzkoa (-3,034) and Álava (-948).
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