Deaths increase by a third

A third more deaths were registered between April and June 2020, compared with the five year average, according to figures released today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

A total of 18,201 deaths were registered between April and June. COVID-19 was the underlying cause in 3,739 deaths during this time, accounting for 83% of the 4,515 excess deaths when compared to the five year average.

Today’s figures when compared with the five year average show:

• Deaths from cancer increased by 1.5%
• Deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increased by 24.5%
• Deaths from coronary heart disease decreased by 1.8%
• Deaths from respiratory diseases decreased by 20.6%
• Deaths from cerebrovascular disease increased by 5.3%
• Deaths from diseases of the genitourinary system increased by 22.5%
• Deaths from diabetes increased by 26.2%
• Deaths from transport accidents decreased by 69.1%
   

Julie Ramsay, Vital Events Statistician, said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the number of deaths  we normally see at this time of year,  the overall death rate is a third higher than the five year average.

 “COVID-19 has also impacted the number of marriages, from April to June only 117 marriages took place, a stark contrast to the five year average of 7,938.

“Similarly only 1,145 births were recorded, as this period coincided with a postponement of the registration of births. We are likely to see a large increase in the  number of birth registrations in the next quarter.”

Five of the marriages registered were same-sex marriages, a significant reduction compared with the five year average of 286.

One civil partnership was registered, compared to an average of 16 from April to June over the previous five years.

The publication Births, Deaths and other Vital Events - Quarterly Figures and an infographic summary is available on this website.