It’s estimated that 231 people died whilst experiencing homelessness in 2024, according to new data from National Records of Scotland.
The figures show that 78% of those who died were male and 22% female.
Around half of those who died were under 45 years old with the most common age group for males and females between 35 and 44.
Phillipa Haxton, head of vital events statistics for NRS, said: “We estimate 231 people died while they were in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough in 2024. This is similar to the estimate of 242 for the year before and not a statistically significant fall. It’s also about 40% higher than 2017, when these figures were first calculated.
“Deaths of people going through homelessness occur at younger ages than those in the population generally. They are also more likely to be from external causes which includes drug related deaths, accidents, suicide and assaults. External causes account for 10% of deaths in all people aged 15 to 74 but half of deaths among those who were homeless when they died.”
The rate of deaths whilst experiencing homelessness varies across Scotland. City of Edinburgh council area had the highest rate in 2024.
These are official statistics in development.
