2020

As at 12th July, 4,187 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, an increase of 13 deaths from the previous week, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Updated analysis, covering the period from 1st March to 30th June, on mortality by occupation, deprivation, pre-existing conditions and by urban and rural areas has also been published today. The key findings remain similar to those published last month, for the period 1st March to 31st May and show:

• Of all deaths involving COVID-19 between March and June 2020, 92% had at least one pre-existing condition. The most common main pre-existing condition was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease representing 31%.
• People in the most deprived areas were 2.1 times more likely to die with COVID-19 than those living in the least deprived areas.
• The highest number of deaths involving COVID-19 of working people aged between 20-64 by occupation group were among process, plant and machine operatives.
• People living in larger urban areas were over four times more likely to die with COVID-19 than those in remote locations.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: 

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy and these statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones.
 
“Today’s publication includes updated analysis on mortality by occupation, deprivation, leading causes of death, pre-existing conditions and urban rural classification. We have also provided an updated breakdown by local area.
 
“This additional analysis provides important information on the progression and impact of the virus and we will continue to work alongside Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government to provide robust information.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.

As at 5th July, 4,173  deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, an increase of 17 deaths from the previous week, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

From 29th June to 5th July, 40 fewer deaths from all causes were registered compared with the average number for this time of year. This is the second week in a row the total number of deaths registered has been lower than the average.

New analysis of deaths registered up to 14th June shows that deaths among people from the South Asian ethnic group were almost twice as likely to involve COVID-19 than deaths in the White ethnic group, after accounting for age group, sex, area deprivation and urban/rural classification.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:  

“For the first time, we have produced additional analysis on deaths involving COVID-19 by ethnic group and the findings show that over the course of the pandemic to date, COVID-19 was a more common cause of death for people in the South Asian ethnic group, compared to people in the White ethnic group. Every death from this virus is a tragedy and these statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones.

“Understanding the impact of how the virus differs by ethnic group is vitally important, however, due to the low number of completed records for deaths involving COVID-19 in other minority ethnic groups, it is not possible to produce statistics for these groups. NRS will continue to play our part and work alongside Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government to provide robust information to help us understand the progression and impact of the virus.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.

The report Analysis of deaths involving (COVID-19) in Scotland, by ethnic group is available on this website.

As at 28th June, 4,155 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate. Between 22nd and 28th June, 35 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, a decrease of 14 from the previous week. This is the ninth weekly reduction in a row, and the lowest weekly total since mid-March.

COVID-19 deaths accounted for 3% of all deaths registered in week 26. This has fallen from its peak in week 17 when COVID-19 deaths accounted for 36% of all deaths.

From 22nd to 28th June the total number of deaths registered in Scotland was 1,006. This is a decrease of 59 from the previous week. The average number of deaths registered in Scotland in the corresponding week over the previous five years was 1,026. This is the first time since week 13 (23-29 March) that the total number of weekly deaths has fallen below the five-year average.  

Over the 15 week period from 16th March to 28th June (since the first  COVID-19 death was recorded), the number of excess deaths, the total number of deaths registered minus the average number of deaths for the same period over the last five years, was 4,906. 

Figures over this period show:

• 2,463 excess deaths in care homes, 67% above average.
• 2,417 excess deaths at home or in non-institutional settings, 56% above average.
• Deaths in hospitals were less than 1% above average levels (34) over the full period. After an early peak during April, hospital deaths have now fallen to below average levels.
• More than three quarters (77%) of all deaths involving COVID-19 to date were of people aged 75 or over.

In care home and hospitals, COVID-19 was the cause of the majority of excess deaths whilst in home and non-institutional settings there were far fewer excess deaths involving COVID-19.  Cancer, circulatory deaths, and deaths from other causes accounted for most of the excess deaths in these settings. In hospital settings there were lower than average numbers of deaths from all causes other than COVID-19.   

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:               

“These statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones and every death from this virus is a tragedy.

“Since the peak in mid-April, the number of registered COVID-19 related deaths has fallen for nine successive weeks. In the week ending 28th June, 35 COVID-19 related deaths were registered, representing the second smallest weekly total since the start of the pandemic in Scotland.

“This week also marks the first time since the start of the pandemic in Scotland that the total number of deaths from all causes is below the five-year average for this time of year.

“Producing these statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), provides vital information to help understand the progression and impact of the virus in Scotland.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.

As at 21st June, 4,119 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, an increase of 49 deaths from the previous week, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

From 15th to 21st June, 39 more deaths from all causes were registered compared with the average number for this time of year.

Over the 14 week period from 16th March to 21st June, the number of excess deaths, which represents the total number of deaths registered minus the average number of deaths registered in the same period, was 4,917.  By location of death there were:

• 2,463 excess deaths in care homes which is 72% above average 
• 2,329 excess deaths at home or in non-institutional settings which is 58% above average
• 133 excess deaths in hospitals 2% above average, but a decrease since an early peak during this period.

In care home and hospitals, COVID-19 was the cause of the majority of excess deaths whilst in home and non-institutional settings there were far fewer excess deaths involving COVID-19.  Cancer, circulatory deaths, and deaths from other causes accounted for most of the excess deaths in these settings.  In hospital settings there were lower than average numbers of deaths from all causes other than COVID-19.   

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:               

“These statistics represent the heartbreak of many families across the country who have lost loved ones and every death from this virus is a tragedy.

“Producing these statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), provides vital information to help understand the progression and impact of the virus in Scotland. 

“Since the peak in mid-April, the number of registered COVID-19 related deaths has fallen for eight successive weeks. In the week ending 21st June, 49 COVID-19 related deaths were registered, representing the second smallest weekly total since the start of the pandemic in Scotland. 

“At the peak of the pandemic, 36 % of all registered deaths referenced COVID-19. The latest weekly figure reports that this is now the case in 5 % of registered deaths.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.

8,245 more deaths than births were registered in Scotland in 2019, according to figures released today by National Records of Scotland.

This is the fifth year running where there have been more deaths than births registered in Scotland.

49,863 births were registered, this is the lowest annual total since records began in 1855.

58,108 deaths were registered, which shows a decrease of 0.7 per cent on the number in 2018, but represents the second highest annual total since 2003. 

The age-standardised mortality rate, which takes account of the changing population structure, was 1,107.6 per 100,000 people in 2019, a decrease of 3 per cent on 2018.  Historically, age-standardised mortality rates have fallen consistently over time but there has been little change since 2014.  The rate among males (1,275.0 per 100,000) is higher than among females (971.2 per 100,000).

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: 

“The latest figures maintain the recent trends with births continuing to fall and little change in the death rate. The age-standardised death rate, which takes account of the growing and ageing population, had been decreasing steadily over recent decades, but has changed very little since 2014.”

There were 26,007 marriages in 2019, the lowest number ever recorded.  Of these, 912 were same sex marriages.

There were 83 civil partnerships registered, 50 involving male couples and 33 involving female couples.

There were 174 stillbirths in 2019, a rate of 3.5 for every thousand live and still births.  This was the lowest stillbirth rate ever recorded.

The publication Vital Events Reference Tables 2019 and an Infographic are available on this website.

The number of households in Scotland increased to 2.50 million in 2019, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The latest figures show over the last ten years the number of households in Scotland has grown by 143,800 (6%).

More than a third of households are occupied by a single person, and an estimated 906,000 people are living alone.

The increased number of households is partly due to an increase in the population, but also because people are increasingly living alone or with fewer other people. Households consisting of only one person have been the most common type in Scotland since 2010.

The number of households has increased in every council area over the last ten years. Midlothian (16%), Orkney Islands (11%) and East Lothian (11%) showed the biggest relative increases.

The figures show there were 2.64 million dwellings in Scotland in 2019. 84,600 (3%) of these were empty, which included new homes yet to be occupied and dwellings awaiting repair or demolition, and 24,500 (1%) of dwellings are second homes.  Remote rural areas have a higher proportion of empty and second homes than urban areas.

The publication Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2019 and an Interactive charts are available on this website.

As at 14 June, 4,070 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Between 8th and 14th June, 70 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, a decrease of 19 from the previous week, 1st to 7th June. This is the seventh weekly reduction in a row of deaths involving COVID-19.

To place these statistics in context, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 8th to 14th June was 1,032, 3% higher than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years. 

This week, we have produced additional analysis based on deprivation, pre-existing conditions and occupation, the key findings show:

• People in the most deprived areas were 2.1 times more likely to die with COVID-19 than those living in the least deprived areas.
• Of those who died with COVID in May, 92% had at least one pre-existing condition. The most common pre-existing condition was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease which accounted for 38% of all deaths involving COVID0-19, followed by ischaemic heart disease which account for 11% of all deaths.
• The highest number of deaths involving COVID-19 of working people  aged between 20-64 by occupation group were among process, plant and machine operatives which accounted for 43 deaths and an age-standardised death rate of 25.1 per 100,000 population.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:               

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy. These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland. 

“Today we have published new analysis on mortality by occupation and provided a further breakdown by location to cover smaller areas. We have also included updated analysis on mortality by deprivation, leading causes of death and pre-existing conditions. Our aim is that this will provide important information to help understand the impact of the virus across the country.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.

As at 7 June, 4,000 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Between 1st and 7th June, 89 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, a decrease of 42 from the previous week, 25th to 31st May. Deaths involving COVID-19 as a proportion of all deaths has now fallen to 8% in week 23, having reached 36% in week 17. This is the sixth weekly reduction in a row of deaths involving COVID-19.

To place these statistics in context, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 1st to 7th June was 1,093, 4% higher than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years, 1,056. Since the 878 excess deaths reported in week 15, the number of excess deaths has decreased week on week, to 37 in week 23. There were fewer deaths from respiratory diseases (-33) and dementia and Alzheimer’s (-19) compared to the average for this time of year. As a result, the number of deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause (73 in total) was greater than the total number of excess deaths.

Just less than half of all registered deaths involving COVID-19 in week 23 occurred in care homes, 47%, down from 60% in week 18. The number of deaths in care homes fell for a sixth week in a row, down by 27 from last week to 42. 

Three quarters of registered deaths involving COVID-19 to date were people aged 75 or over, 76%.  

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:               

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy. These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland. 

Across Scotland the number of COVID-19 related deaths registered in the week ending 7th June was 89 – the lowest weekly total since late March. 

Our aim is to ensure that our statistical publication provides information that is as useful as possible and adds value to the understanding of how the virus is spreading throughout the country. We will continue to review and develop these statistics as new information is made available.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.

11,023 births and 15,932 deaths were registered in Scotland between 1 January and 31 March 2020, according to provisional figures released today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

This is the lowest number of births registered in quarter one(Q1) since civil registration began in 1855. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in mid-March most registration offices closed and registration of births was postponed. Consequently,  the number of registrations does not reflect the actual number of births in quarter one.

There were 145 deaths registered where COVID-19 was the underlying cause, during Q1 2020.  The first coronavirus death was registered in mid March.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The number of births registered in the first quarter was the lowest since records began and continues the downward trend we have seen since 2008. However, this is partly due to the closure of registration offices and suspension of birth and marriage registrations in March.

“The age-standardised mortality rate, which adjusts for Scotland’s ageing population, has increased by 0.4% over the last year.”

The number of deaths registered was 4.1% higher than in Q1 of 2019 but have fallen by 1.4% compared to the Q1  average for the previous five years.

The age-standardised mortality rate increased by 0.4 per cent in the year to 2020 quarter 1. This takes into account the growing and ageing population and is therefore the best indicator of the direction of the mortality trend.

Compared with the Q1 average over the previous five years, 2015-2019:

• The number of cancer deaths rose by 1.5 per cent to 4,169;
• Deaths from respiratory diseases fell by 22.1 per cent to 1,872;
• The number of deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease rose by 1.9 per cent to 1,857;
• The number of deaths from coronary heart disease fell by 6.5 per cent to 1,750;
• There were 1,064 deaths from cerebrovascular disease (a decrease of 7.2 per cent).

The provisional figures also show there were 3,024 marriages in total. This is 14.3% lower than the average number of first quarter marriages for the previous five years, and the lowest recorded quarter one marriage figure, but this will be partly due to the mid-March closure of registration offices.

There were 120 same-sex marriages, 9 fewer than in 2019 quarter one. Of the same sex marriages registered in the first quarter, 7 were changes from civil partnerships.

There were 22 civil partnerships,12 male and 10 female, eight more than in the first quarter of 2019.

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

As at 31st May, 3,911 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

Between 25th and 31st May, 131 deaths relating to COVID-19 have been registered, a decrease of 99 from the previous week, 18th to 24th May. Deaths involving COVID-19 as a proportion of all deaths has now fallen to 12% in week 22, having reached 36% in week 17. This is the fifth weekly reduction in a row of deaths involving COVID-19.

To place these statistics in context, the total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 25th to 31st May was 1,125, 11% higher than the average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years, 1,017. Since the 878 excess deaths reported in week 15, the number of excess deaths has decreased week on week, to 108 in week 22. There were fewer deaths from respiratory diseases (-40) and circulatory conditions (-8) compared to the average for this time of year. As a result, the number of deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause (111 in total) was greater than the total number of excess deaths.

More than half of all registered deaths involving COVID-19 in week 22 occurred in care homes, 52%, down from 60% in week 18. The number of deaths in care homes fell for a fifth week in a row, down by 56 from last week to 68.

Three quarters of registered deaths involving COVID-19 to date were people aged 75 or over, 76%.  

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:              

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy. These statistics, alongside the other important evidence being made available by the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland (HPS), are valuable to the understanding of the progress and impact of the COVID-19 virus across Scotland.

Across Scotland the number of COVID-19 related deaths registered in the week ending 31st May was 131 – the lowest weekly total since late March. 

Our aim is to ensure that our statistical publication provides information that is as useful as possible and adds value to the understanding of how the virus is spreading throughout the country. We will continue to review and develop these statistics as new information is made available.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland and an infographic summary is available on this website.