Winter Mortality

The winter mortality statistics focus on the seasonal increase in mortality in winter.  This is defined as the difference between the number of deaths in the four 'winter' months (December to March) and the average of the numbers of deaths in the two four month periods which precede winter (August to November) and follow winter (April to July).  These statistics are broken down by age-group, sex, cause of death, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile, NHS Board and Local Authority area.

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Background information on Winter Mortality

For additional information on, for example, some of the medical causes of increased mortality in winter and the factors that influence it, as well as comparisons with some European countries’ figures, please see the following background note
Increased Winter Mortality - Background Note (PDF 192 KB) - revised 15 October 2019

Winter Mortality statistics across the UK

Further information for the rest of the UK can be found via the following links:

England & Wales (Office for National Statistics website)

Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency website)

Contact Us

Please get in touch if you need any further information, or have any suggestions for improvement.

E-mail: [email protected]

Lead Statistician: Frank Dixon

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