2023

The number of births registered in Scotland in the third quarter of this year was down against the five year average for this time of year, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland.  
There were 11,897 births recorded between 1 July and 30 September compared to 12,862 which is the average for this quarter. 
The information in the Births, deaths and other vital events Quarter 3 report also includes figures for deaths and marriages. The number of deaths is 1.7% up on the five year average at 14,136 while the number of marriages is similar to the recent average. 

Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics at NRS, said: 

“The falling number of births is part of a long term trend we have seen in Scotland with people having smaller families. 

“While the number of deaths has risen the rate has fallen by 4% against the five year average. This rate takes into account the growing and ageing population and is therefore the best indicator of the direction of the mortality trend.

“There were increases in deaths from cancer, coronary heart disease and respiratory disease but a fall in those from Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”

Among the 10,410 marriages there were 426 between same sex couples, compared with the five year average of 361.Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil partnership. Of the 224 civil partnerships registered in the third quarter of 2023, 190 involved mixed-sex couples. There were 34 same-sex civil partnerships, compared with a five-year average of 24.

Background

1.    The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. 

2.    The report Births, Deaths and other Vital Events Quarter 3 2023 is available online here. There is also the option to look at data tables here.

3.    Comparisons are usually made by comparing the current year to the average for the previous five years. For 2023, standard practice would be to compare against the 2018- 2022 average. As the 2020 figures were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – marriages were much lower than usual, deaths were higher, and registration of births was delayed - comparing the 2023 figures to an average including 2020 would not give a true reflection of how the latest quarter’s figures compare to the average. 2023 comparisons have therefore been made against the 5 years 2017-2019 plus 2021-2022.

4.    Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff. General information about population statistics can be accessed in the About our Statistics section of the NRS website. 

Media enquiries should be directed to: name of NRS Comms officer dealing with media queries - [email protected] and the NRS Comms officer’s phone number.

Further information about the statistics is available from:
Statistics Customer Services    
E-mail: [email protected]

The mortality rate for October 2023 was 5% lower than average for this time of year according to new figures from National Records of Scotland.

The NRS monthly mortality report shows there were 5,164 deaths in Scotland in October, similar to the five year average for this month. This measure does not take into account the growing population and changes to the age structure. 

NRS Vital Events Statistician Beth Watson said: 

“The mortality rate in October was 5% lower than the five year average for this month. Age-standardised mortality rates are an effective measure for comparing changes over time, as they take into account changes in the population which is growing and also becoming older over time, with fewer children and more people in older age groups.”

The data shows that ischaemic heart disease was the most common cause of death in October, accounting for 11% of all deaths. It was the most common cause of death for men, although for women the most common cause was Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Due to public holidays the monthly mortality figures for November will be published in late January, along with the report for December.

Background

The monthly mortality report provides headline figures every month, with much more information available in our downloadable datasets. These datasets all have interactive charts built in, to aid users in exploring the latest trends.

The data in this report is based on the date a death occurred - other analysis can be based on the date a death was registered.

The five year average does not include 2020 due to the unusual pattern of deaths in the first year of the pandemic. An explanation for this methodology agreed with statistics bodies across the UK is available on our website.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Susie Rose
NRS Communications
Tel: 07500 463452
Email: [email protected] 

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected] 
 

An estimated 244 people died while homeless in Scotland in 2022, according to new figures from National Records of Scotland.  

The Homeless Deaths 2022 report shows that while the total figure is similar to the previous year, the number of deaths attributed to drug misuse among those experiencing homelessness fell from 127 to 89. 
Almost three quarters of those who died were male. The number of deaths among females returned to levels seen in previous years after a drop between 2020 and 2021. 

Beth Watson, senior assistant statistician, said: 

“Our estimate shows a small drop in the number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness between 2021 and 2022 but this change is not statistically significant. 

“Our figures go back to 2017 when there were 164 deaths. While the year on year change is small, the number is still significantly higher than it was five years ago.”

Homelessness services run by local authorities provide temporary accommodation for those without a settled home and these figures cover this much larger group as well as the minority who were sleeping rough.

Almost half of the people who died while homeless in Scotland in 2022 were under 45 years old. Drug-misuse accounted for 36% of all deaths among people experiencing homelessness. Half of all deaths were classed as "external causes" which include most drug misuse deaths, accidents, suicide and assault.

The figures come from a report classed as Official Statistics in Development because they use a new and evolving methodology which has not yet been assessed against the rigorous quality standards of National Statistics. 

Background:

• The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. 
• The full report and an infographic for Homeless Deaths 2022 is available on our website.
• These are official statistics in development. Establishing an accurate number is difficult because not all people who die while experiencing homelessness have their lack of permanent home recorded on their death registration record. The estimated number of deaths is established by examining death registration records to find people who were either in temporary accommodation or were sleeping rough before they died and adding to this a conservative estimated figure based on sampling. The probability is the true figure is higher. The methodology is explained further in the report on our website.  Estimates of homeless deaths in other parts of the UK are not comparable with those for Scotland – this article (jointly published by statistics producers across the UK) explains why.
• Our statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff. General information about population statistics can be accessed in the About our Statistics section of the NRS website. 

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Susan Rose by email - [email protected] or mobile 07500 463 452

Further information about the statistics is available from:
Statistics Customer Services    
E-mail: [email protected] 

A champion plough girl and a Dundee woman who worked on the Queen Mother’s estate at Glamis Castle are among thousands of so-called “Land Girls” whose details can now be searched on the ScotlandsPeople website for the first time.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) has released digitised copies of the employment records of members of the Scottish Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps, who worked in fields and forests to keep the nation fed and warm during World War II.

Users can now access 10,000 handwritten index cards with details of the women working in traditional male jobs to keep up supplies of food and fuel from 1939 to 1950.

Among them are Betty Reid, star of the 1942 propaganda film “Land Girl” after she was hailed “Champion Plough-Girl of Scotland” in a ploughing competition, and Dundee woman Wilhelmina Robertson, who had worked at Glamis Castle, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

NRS archivist Jessica Evershed said: 

“These records are an excellent historical resource for researchers piecing together details of these women’s lives. The Scottish Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps was critical during a time of desperate crisis, helping to produce food and timber. 

“Putting these records online allows people all over the world to research their relatives, or to just investigate the history of the famous “Land Girls” for themselves.” 

The cards give names, ages, dates of service, insight into their training and more. A few include comments on their experience, aptitudes and work ethic, as well as noting awards for dedicated service. These records contain details of women born up to 1922. Further records will be added to the website annually. 

Death rates are almost twice as high in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived, according to a new report from National Records of Scotland.

Scotland’s Population report for 2022 also finds the gap is much wider for some causes, including drug misuse deaths.

Julie Ramsay, Head of Demographic Statistics at National Records of Scotland, said: 

“2022 saw the largest year-on-year decrease in drug misuse deaths on record but it was still 3.7 times as high as it was in 2000. 

“People in the most deprived areas were almost 16 times as likely to die from drug misuse as those in the least deprived.” 

Today’s report considers long term life expectancy trends. In the last 40 years, overall life expectancy has improved and people are living longer. However, in the last 10 years improvements have stalled and more recently have started to reverse. 

The recent fall in life expectancy was mainly due to COVID-19. Over the last decade the high level of drug-related deaths, the increase in deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s and a slow down in the decrease in coronary heart disease deaths contribute to the stall in life expectancy improvements.

The report also shows that there are now more people aged 65 and over than people under 15. This trend is mainly driven by the post-war baby boom generation getting older. But also, by people living longer and fertility in Scotland falling. Fertility is now at the lowest recorded level and is one of the lowest in Europe. These factors all contribute to Scotland’s ageing population. 

Scotland’s Population 2022 is available to read online at nrscotland.gov.uk 

Background:

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. 

Scotland’s Population is available to read online and includes interactive charts and links to more sources of data and analysis. 

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff. General information about population statistics can be accessed in the About our Statistics section of the NRS website. 

Media enquiries should be directed to:

Susie Rose via  [email protected] or by mobile at 07500 463 452

Further information about the statistics is available from:
Statistics Customer Services    
E-mail: [email protected]

The mortality rate for September 2023 was 6% lower than average for this time of year according to new figures from National Records of Scotland.

The NRS monthly mortality report shows there were 4,692 deaths in Scotland in September, a decrease of 1% on the five year average for this month. This measure does not take into account the growing population and changes to the age structure. 

Vital Events Statistician with NRS, Daniel Burns, said: 

“The mortality rate in September was 6% lower than the five year average for this month, which is considered a statistically significant difference. Age-standardised mortality rates are a better measure for comparing changes over time as they take into account changes in the population which is growing and also becoming older over time with fewer children and more people in older age groups.”

The data shows that ischaemic heart disease was the most common cause of death in September, accounting for 10% of all deaths. It was the most common cause of death for men, although for women the most common cause was Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Background

The monthly mortality report provides headline figures every month, with much more information available in our downloadable datasets. These datasets all have interactive charts built in, to aid users in exploring the latest trends.

The data in this report is based on the date a death occurred - other analysis can be based on the date a death was registered.

The five year average does not include 2020 due to the unusual pattern of deaths in the first year of the pandemic. An explanation for this methodology agreed with statistics bodies across the UK is available on our website.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Susie Rose
NRS Communications
Tel: 07500 463452
Email: [email protected] 

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected] 
 

24,427 deaths were registered in Scotland between December 2022 and March 2023, representing the highest number of winter deaths in over thirty years, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland today.

The statistics also show a seasonal increase of 4,137 additional deaths in winter, from December to March, compared with the non-winter periods. While this increase is considerably larger than the previous winter, it is lower than the recent winters of 2017/18 and 2020/21.

Daniel Burns, Head of Vital Events Statistics at National Records of Scotland, said:

“Today’s figures show that deaths in winter are at their highest level since 1989/90.

“The longer-term downward trend shows a recent increase in winter deaths, which may be partly driven by Scotland’s ageing population.

“Winter months generally see more deaths than other times of the year, however the seasonal increase in winter mortality fluctuates year on year. 

“Older age groups are consistently the most affected by increased mortality in winter. For people aged 85 and over, there were 29% more winter deaths compared to 12% in the under 65 population.”

The cause of death with the largest seasonal increase was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease accounting for 640 additional deaths. There were 310 additional deaths as a result of COVID-19 during this time.

Since 2019, fewer than ten deaths per year were directly due to cold weather, for example hypothermia. 

Background

The full ‘Winter Mortality in Scotland’ publication is available from the NRS website.  It shows the seasonal increase in mortality recorded each winter in Scotland, broken down by age group, sex, cause of death, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile, NHS Board, and Local Authority area.

The seasonal increase in mortality in the winter represents the number of additional deaths in winter. It is defined as the difference between the number of deaths in the four month winter period (December to March) and the average number of deaths in the two four-month periods which precede winter (August to November) and follow winter (April to July). It is also sometimes referred to as ‘excess winter deaths’ or ‘excess winter mortality’.

To account for differences in population size, seasonal increases for different areas are better compared using the Increased Winter Mortality Index (IWMI). This is defined as the number of additional winter deaths divided by the average number of deaths in a four month non-winter period, expressed as a percentage. 

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Pauline Monchy
NRS Communications
Tel: 07917 575455
Email: [email protected]     

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]  
 

The mortality rate for August 2023 was similar to average for this time of year despite the number of deaths being 4% above average, according to new figures from National Records of Scotland.

The NRS monthly mortality report shows there were 4,782 deaths in Scotland in August, an increase of 4% on the five year average for this month. This measure does not take into account the growing population and changes to the age structure. 

Vital Events Statistician with NRS, Daniel Burns, said: 

“While the number of deaths in August was higher than the five year average for this month the mortality rate was similar. It was 2% lower but this difference is not considered statistically significant. The rate takes into account changes in the population which is growing and also becoming older over time with fewer children and more people in older age groups.”

The data shows that ischaemic heart disease was the most common cause of death in August, accounting for 10% of all deaths. It was the most common cause of death for men, although for women the most common cause was Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

The full report Monthly Mortality Analysis, Scotland, August 2023 can be found on the NRS website.

These figures are provisional and are subject to change.

Background

The Monthly Mortality report provides headline figures every month, with much more information available in our downloadable datasets. These datasets all have interactive charts built in, to aid users in exploring the latest trends.

The data in this report is based on the date a death occurred - other analysis can be based on the date a death was registered.

The five year average does not include 2020 due to the unusual pattern of deaths in the first year of the pandemic. An explanation for this methodology agreed with statistics bodies across the UK is available on our website.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Susie Rose
NRS Communications
Tel: 07500 463452
Email: [email protected] 

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected] 

Life expectancy in Scotland was 76.5 years for males and 80.7 years for females in the years 2020-2022, according to new provisional figures released by National Records of Scotland. 

Figures show life expectancy was highest in East Renfrewshire for females and East Dunbartonshire for males, and lowest in Glasgow city for both males and females in the years 2020-2022.

Life Expectancy improvements stalled in around 2012-2014 following a long period of sustained increases. 

NRS is releasing provisional Life Expectancy figures ahead of publishing 2022 mid-year population estimates early next year. Census data will allow revised population estimates for the last 10 years to be produced and NRS will then be able to revise life expectancy figures and publish these next year.

Background 

The full report can be found online on this website 

Contact 

Susie Rose 07500 463 452

6,277 deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were registered in 2022, this is an increase of 231 from 2021, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland. 

Over 80% of deaths caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias occurred amongst people aged over 80. Females accounted for two thirds of the deaths.

Sixty-four per cent of the deaths took place in care homes while 22% were in hospitals and 14% at home or in non-institutional settings.

At local health board level, over the last five years, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Forth Valley had the highest mortality rates. The lowest rate was in the Borders.

Daniel Burns, Head of Vital Events Statistics, said:

“Deaths from dementias are one of the highest causes of death in Scotland. The mortality rate for 2022 is twice what it was in 2000.  

“The increase may partly be driven by increasingly life expectancy, particularly among females, and the high number of children born in the post war years reaching the age at which Alzheimer’s and other dementias are the leading cause of death. 

"Those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are 1.3 times as likely to die of dementia when compared to those living in the least deprived areas. This compares with 1.8 times as likely for deaths from all causes.”

Background

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. 

The publication Alzheimer’s and other dementia deaths in 2022 is available on our website.

Media enquiries should be directed to: 
Pauline Monchy
[email protected] 
m. 07917 575455

Further information about the statistics is available from:
Statistics Customer Services    
Tel: 0131 314 4299
E-mail: [email protected]