Madrid was the European region with the highest excess mortality in 2020. This according to the annual barometer published on Tuesday by the European Committee of the Regions.
Excess mortality is an increased mortality rate compared to a comparison period. Among other things, the study points to the “profound differences” in the impact of the pandemic within the community area.
In this area, the Autonomous Community of Madrid was the EU region with the highest excess mortality rate in 2020. This was in comparison to the average number of deaths in the previous four years (44%).
Three other Spanish communities are on the list of ten European regions with the highest excess mortality in 2020: Castilla-La Mancha, in third place with 34%; Castilla y León, sixth with 29%; and Catalonia, in eighth place with 27%.
Hole in budgets due to pandemic
The same study shows the Autonomous Communities and Municipalities of Spain suffered a budget gap of €12.3 billion in 2020 due to the increase in spending to cope with the disease and the fall in income.
According to the study, eight Spanish communities are likely to experience a negative economic impact in the medium term. Those regions are Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, Murcia, Extremadura, Andalucia, Castilla-La Mancha and the Canary Islands. The weight of the tourism sector, culture, catering and young people without work are some of the criteria in the barometer.
