The number of deaths registered in Scotland in the last quarter of 2024 was 10% lower than expected, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland.
16,052 deaths were recorded between 1 October and 31 December 2024. The expected number, using a method which adjusts for the growing and aging population, was 17,844.
Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics at NRS, said:
“The number of deaths was 10% lower than our expected number for this time of year.
“Across all broad age groups, deaths were below expected levels for the last quarter of 2024. However, the infant death rate (deaths within the first year of life) was 4.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is the joint second highest quarterly infant death rate since the time series began in 2014.
“For all ages, female deaths were 829, or 9.3%, lower than the expected number in quarter 4, and male deaths were 962, or 10.8% lower than expected.”
11,412 births were registered in quarter 4 last year, which is 4.9% lower than the quarter 4 average of 11,994.
Quarter 4 also saw 6,206 marriages being registered, 1.4% more than the average for this time of year. 256 were same-sex marriages, compared with a five-year average of 236.
These figures are provisional.
Background
To see the full publication and access the data go to http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/births-deaths-and-other-vital-events-fourth-quarter-2024
NRS statistics are produced by independent, professional statisticians and meet the standard for Accredited National Statistics.
NRS Communications
communications@nrscotland.gov.uk
