January 20 (BTA) - A total of 45,812 people died in Bulgaria in the fourth quarter of 2021 (40th to 52nd week) and the crude mortality rate was 26.7 per mille, according to early estimates of the National Statistical Institute published on Thursday.

Mortality among men (28.2 per mille) was higher than among women (25.4 per mille). Compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of deaths rose by 1,841 (4.2 per cent). Compared to the third quarter of 2021, they rose by 15,099 (49.2 per cent).

The highest mortality in the fourth quarter of 2021 was registered in the 44th week (November 1-7): 4,139 deaths (31.4 per 1,000 people of the average annual population). The lowest mortality in the fourth quarter of 2021 was in the 52nd week: 3,000 people (22.8 per 1,000).

The highest positive number of deaths in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the average deaths in the period 2016-2020 was 1,943 cases in the 44th week, or mortality increased by 88.5 per cent compared to the base period (2016-2020).

In the fourth quarter of the period 2016-2021, the age distribution of deaths remained the same in the age groups up to 69 years. There was an increase in the share of deaths in the age groups from 70 to 79 years.

Nineteen out of a total of 28 regions in Bulgaria had an increase in the absolute number of deaths in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The highest increase was observed in the regions of Vidin (19.7 per cent), Pernik (12.8 per cent), Varna (12.7 per cent), Dobrich (12.4 per cent) and Sofia City (11.2 per cent). The most significant decrease was in the regions of Smolyan (-8.9 per cent), Razgrad (-6.1 per cent), Targovishte (-4.4 per cent), Silistra (-3.7 per cent) and Shumen (-3.5 per cent).

In the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2021, the number of deaths increased in all 28 regions. The highest increase was registered in the regions of Vidin (87.9 per cent), Montana (83.6 per cent) and Kyustendil (70.5 per cent). The lowest increase was in Targovishte (21.2 per cent), Kardjali (23.9 per cent) and Burgas (31.9 per cent). DD/VE

Source: Sofia