The Economic, Demographic And Social Impact Of The Spanish Influenza In Bizkaia (1918-1920)

The article analyses the health and demographic consequences of the pandemic in Bizkaia (1918-1920) in relation to economic, labour and treasury indicators. Firstly, the article studies the evolution and distribution of the mortality rates that can be attributed to the flu pandemic. The impact on mortality was greater in the more industrial municipalities and a relation can be appreciated between population size and density and the incidence of the pandemic. Secondly, the article analyses the pandemic's impact on the provincial economy. The article concludes that the business sector and the public finances of the main institutions of Biscay did not suffer significantly from the pandemic's effects. The demographic and health analysis employs two main sources: the Civil Registry and the Statistical Bulletin of Bilbao. The budgetary and accountancy analysis are based on business statistics and documentation and official and budgetary sources of the main public institutions of Bizkaia. (C) 2020 Asociacion Espanola de Historia Economica