Aim of the study. The primary research objective is to investigate and compare mortality characteristics on the territory of the City of Bakar and the City of Mali Lošinj in the period from 1960 to 2012. The specific objectives are: a) to recode the underlying cause of death in line with the current classification of diseases; b) to identify mortality characteristics on the territory of the City of Bakar and the City of Mali Lošinj; c) to identify mortality characteristics according to stages of industrial development on the territory of the City of Bakar; d) to estimate mortality trends. Materials and methods. An ecological study design was used. Data were analysed on the deceased with the last recorded place of residence in the study area for the period from 1960 to 2012. The time series analysis was used to estimate mortality trends. Along the primary research question, the study included quantitative studies relevant for the contextualisation of the primary research. Results. During the studied period age-standardised mortality rates on the territory of the City of Bakar were more often higher than age-standardised mortality rates on the territory of the City of Mali Lošinj. Among studied populations significant difference was found in causes of deaths coded within ICD-10 chapters: Neoplasms, Mental and behavioural disorders, and Diseases of the respiratory system. The quality of life of the Bakar citizens has been continually burdened with ambient air pollution from economic entities that were operating or still operate in the Bakar Bay area. Conclusions. Increase in mortality rates from neoplasms in both studied populations, respiratory diseases in the area exposed to industrial pollution, as well as stomach carcinoma and particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in the City of Bakar, require further research.