Deaths in Catalonia up 23.5% compared to 2019

A total of 64,547 people passed away in Catalonia in 2019, and due to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s number escalated up to 79,685. Therefore, 2020's registered deaths increased by 15,138 compared to the year before an increase of 23.5%.

According to Spain's statistics institute (INE), the increase of deaths in Catalonia was more than Spain's average of 17.7%. Yet, the Madrid region had the highest increase in mortalities, 41% more than the prior year. 

The death rate per 1,000 inhabitants was 10.4 in Catalonia, equal to the Spanish average.

Similarly, the number of births in Catalonia fell by 5.9% last year, from 61,548 to 58,006. In line with the past figures, the downward trend of this figure maintains.

Weddings also plummeted significantly with just 15,516 marriages, nowhere near the levels back to 2019 when 26,939 ceremonies were celebrated.

Catalonia’s covid situation

From February 25, 2020 to June 18, 2021, a total of 22,244 people with or suspected to have had the virus died. According to the Catalan health department, since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 695,599 confirmed cases in Catalonia.

Nevertheless, the situation has been improving in the past few months. In fact, the outbreak risk pandemic indicator is below the ‘high risk’ threshold, and May saw the fewest deaths since last summer, and from June 26 face masks will no longer be compulsory outdoors.

The vaccination campaign began on December 27, 2020 and so far, 3,673,137 people have been given at least a first dose -  46.8% of the total population. Out of those, 2,072,414 have also been administered a second dose (26.4% of the total population). 2,279,176  residents are considered to be fully immunized (29.1%).

On Thursday it was announced that people born between 1982 and 1986 can now book their covid-19 vaccination appointment.