The number of deaths registered in Scotland in the final quarter of 2025 was 4.6% lower than expected, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland.
There were 16,382 deaths recorded between 1 October and 31 December 2025. The expected number of deaths, calculated using a method that adjusts for the growing and ageing population, was 17,163.
For all broad age groups, the number of deaths was lower than expected in the last quarter of 2025. Female deaths were 412 (4.8%) lower than expected and male deaths were 369 (4.3%) lower than expected.
Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics at NRS, said:
“Cancer remained by far the leading cause of death with 4,250 deaths compared to the next largest cause, respiratory diseases at 1,951. The top four causes also include Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias at 1,795 deaths, and coronary heart disease at 1,663. Together these made up 59% of all deaths.
There were 296 deaths from influenza in quarter four of 2025. This was more than double the number in the same period of 2024 (124 deaths). These figures reflect the earlier start to the influenza season this winter compared to previous years.”
There were 11,081 births registered in the same period, 5.8% fewer than the quarter four average of 11,760.
There were 38 stillbirths, compared with a quarter four average of 42. There were 33 infant deaths, lower than the quarter four average of 44.
There were 6,458 marriages registered in quarter four of 2025. This was 5.2% higher than the quarter four average of 6,139.
Of these, 281 (4.4%) were same-sex marriages, compared with a quarter four average of 241 (3.9% of all marriages).
These figures are provisional.
