The estimated number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness increased to 195 in Scotland in 2018

Experimental Statistics published today by National Records of Scotland indicate that there were an estimated 195 deaths of people experiencing homelessness registered in Scotland in 2018, an increase of 19% on the estimate of 164 in 2017.

Key points

• Scotland had the highest rate of homeless deaths of all GB countries in 2018 with a rate of 35.9 per million population compared to 16.8 in England and 14.5 in Wales.
• In 2018 Glasgow City (100.5) and Aberdeen City (67.8) had the highest homeless death rates per million population.  Shetland islands had a homeless death rate of 111.8 per million population but this was based on a very small number of deaths so should be interpreted with caution.
• More than half of homeless deaths in 2018 were drug-related (53%, 104).
• Around three quarters of homeless deaths were males (74% of the total in 2017 and 79% in 2018).
• The mean age at death was 43 for females and 44 for males.

These statistics include people who were in temporary accommodation at the time of their death as well as those who were sleeping rough.

Paul Lowe, the Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland and Registrar General for Scotland, said:

“NRS has developed a method of estimating the incidence of homeless deaths  in response to user demand. It is important to stress that  these are experimental statistics and we will continue to work with users and stakeholders to assess their suitability and quality, as we continue to develop our methodology in future years” 

The publication Homeless Deaths 2017 and 2018 and an Infographic are available on this website.