Skopje, 15 June 2022 (MIA) — North Macedonia’s mortality in 2021 increased by around 40% compared to pre-pandemic years, according to latest figures released by the State Statistical Office. The excess mortality is attributed to deaths from cardiovascular diseases and SARS-CoV-2 infection, the release notes. According to the SSO, North Macedonia logged 28,516 deaths in 2021, which is a rise of 39.5% compared to 2019, when statisticians recorded 20,446 deaths. Excess mortality was 10.7% compared to the first pandemic year, 2020, when there were 25,755 deaths. However, compared to the average number of deaths (around 20,275 per year) in the five years prior to the pandemic, excess mortality was 40.6%. There were 20,461 deaths in 2015; 20,421 deaths in 2016; 20,318 deaths in 2017; 19,727 deaths in 2018; 20,446 deaths in 2019; 25,755 deaths in 2022; and 28,516 deaths in 2021. Of the 28,516 deaths in 2021, 15,155 or 53.1% of the total number of deaths, were males. The number of infant deaths was 85, and their share in the total number of deaths was 0.3%. The average age of death was 71.6 years for males and 75.2 years for females. By months, most deaths (3,212) in 2021 were registered in April, the release says. mr/