This work presents an analysis of mortality rates among men and women aged 20-64, by the main causes of death and the places of habitation during the years 1951-1985. Over the investigated period, the percentage of deaths from cardiovascular system diseases, neoplasms, traumas and poisonings among the persons belonging to the professionally active age group increased to ca 80%. The growing trend of deaths in that group was much higher among men than women. This was especially true about the cardiovascular system diseases and malignant neoplasms. Evaluation of mortality rates during the last 20 years by death causes (allowing for age and place of habitation) indicates that the greatest increase of deaths occurred in the group of men aged 40-59 living in the rural environment.