2021

There were 17,284 fewer births than deaths registered in 2020, with the 46,809 births being the lowest annual total ever recorded since records began in 1855, according to figures released today by National Records of Scotland.

There were 64,093 deaths registered last year, 10% more than in 2019 and 6,333 above the previous five-year average. This represents the highest level of excess deaths seen since 1940.

2020 also saw the lowest infant death rate ever recorded, with 146 infant deaths. There were 198 stillbirths, a slight increase on last year's rate but low in historical terms.

Julie Ramsay, Vital Events Statistician, said:

"With over 64,000 deaths in 2020, which is 10% higher than in 2019,  the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Scotland are clear. NRS statistics also show that there were only 46,809 births across Scotland in 2020, which is the lowest number since records began in 1855.”

There were just 11,831 marriages in 2020 compared to 26,007 in 2019, following restrictions on marriage ceremonies during the pandemic.

Of the 2020 marriages, 289 were same sex, and there were 72 civil partnerships in 2020, 11 fewer than in the previous year.  33 of these involved male couples and 39 involved female couples.

The publication Vital Events Reference Tables 2020 and an infographic are available on this website.

The number of households in Scotland increased to 2.51 million in 2020, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The latest figures show that over the last ten years the number of households in Scotland has grown by 142,800 (6%).

More than a third of households are occupied by a single person, and an estimated 900,000 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 (15%), East Lothian (11%) and Orkney Islands (10%) showed the biggest relative increases.

Increase in number of dwellings

The figures show there were 2.65 million dwellings in Scotland in 2020. 90,500 (3%) of these were empty, which included new homes yet to be occupied and dwellings awaiting repair or demolition. A total of 24,500 (1%) dwellings are second homes.  Remote rural areas generally have higher proportions of empty and second homes than urban areas.

Sandy Taylor, Head of Household Statistics said:

“These latest statistics show a continuation of established trends in the number and type of households that we have seen over the last ten years.” 

The publication Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2020 is available on this website. 

The latest (mid-2020) population estimates for Scotland are also published today.

As of 30 June 2020, Scotland’s population was estimated to be 5.47 million, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland.

The figures published in the Mid-2020 Population Estimates report show Scotland’s population increased by 2,700 people (0.05% growth), the slowest growth since 2003. The average growth in the previous five years (to June 2019) was higher, at around 23,000 people.

Population growth slowed due to more deaths and lower levels of net migration. 

There were 63,100 deaths and 48,700 births in the year ending June 2020, which is 14,500 more deaths than births – the largest natural decrease on record. Deaths outnumbered births for the sixth year running.

While net migration was lower than previous years, 16,900 more people moved to Scotland than left in the year to June 2020. 

Population change varies across Scotland, with 20 out of 32 council areas experiencing population decline in the last year. The 12 council areas which saw population growth were mainly around the central belt. 

Esther Roughsedge, Head of Population and Migration Statistics, said:

“In the year to June 2020, Scotland’s population only increased very slightly – by 2,700 people – and is now estimated to be 5.47 million as of June 2020.

“A key reason for this small increase is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last year we have seen a 4% reduction in births and a 12% increase in deaths.  Also, the difference between the number of people coming to Scotland and those leaving is smaller than in any of the previous six years.” 

The publication Mid-Year Population Estimates is available on the NRS website.

As at 20 June, 10,150 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.

In the week 14 – 20 June, 13 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, an increase of six deaths from the previous week.

There were four deaths in Glasgow City, two deaths in Perth and Kinross and one death in each of Dundee City, Falkirk, Highland, Midlothian, South Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian.

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,046, 46, or 5%, more than the five year average.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 13 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

“Three deaths were aged under 65, two were aged 65-74, and eight were over 75. Five were female and eight were male.

“Ten deaths occurred in hospitals, one occurred in a care home, and two deaths were at home or in a non-institutional setting.”

Deaths from respiratory diseases and dementia/Alzheimer’s were below average, although there were more deaths from circulatory causes, cancer, and other causes compared to the five year average.

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

As at 13 June, 10,137 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.

In the week 07 – 13 June, seven deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of one death from the previous week.

There were two deaths in South Lanarkshire and one death in each of Aberdeen City, City of Edinburgh, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, and North Ayrshire.

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,051, 8% more than the five year average for week 23.

93% of people dying with COVID had at least one pre-existing condition, the most common of which was dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease.

Over the period of the pandemic from March 2020 to May 2021, 186 males per 100,000 people died with COVID-19 mentioned on their death certificates, compared with 128 females. In May 2021, the rate for deaths involving COVID-19 fell to six deaths per 100,000 people.

By 31 May 2021 four people had died due to adverse effectives of the COVID-19 vaccine, out of a total of 3.27 million people who had been given at least one vaccine dose by this point.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were seven deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

“After adjusting for age, people living in the most deprived areas were 2.4 times as likely to die with COVID as those in least deprived areas. The size of this gap has slowly widened from 2.1 to 2.4 over the course of the pandemic.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

17,371 deaths were recorded in January to March 2021, which is 8.2% more than the five year average for quarter one.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) was the underlying cause of 2,779 deaths.

Today’s quarter one figures when compared with the five year average for that time of year show:

• Deaths from cancer decreased by 3.9%
• Deaths from coronary heart disease were 3.0% lower
• Deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease decreased by 19.9%
• Deaths from respiratory diseases decreased by 42.4%
• Deaths by cerebrovascular disease (including stroke) decreased by 8.7%

Julie Ramsay, Vital Events statistician, said:

“The pattern of excess deaths seen at the end of 2020 continued into the first quarter of 2021, coinciding with the peak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in January.

"The death rate is 10% higher than the same point a year ago, taking into account the growing and ageing population."

Today’s statistics also show that 11,509 births were registered between January and March 2021, 4.4% higher than in quarter one of 2020, although registrations in that quarter were lower due to registration office closures in the spring of 2020. 

1,402 marriages took place in quarter one compared with an average of 3,355 for quarter one of the previous five years. Ceremonies have only been able to take place on a restricted basis since late June 2020.

There were 57 same-sex marriages, compared with a five-year average of 136 for this time of year.

There were 12 civil partnerships registered in quarter one compared to an average of 14 in that time for the previous five years.

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

As at 6 June, 10,130 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.

In the week 31 May – 6 June, eight deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, the same number of deaths as the previous week.

There were three deaths in South Ayrshire and two in both Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire. The Scottish Borders recorded one death.

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,051, 3 per cent more than the five year average.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were eight deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

“One death was aged under 65, two were aged 65-74, and five were over 75.

“Seven deaths occurred in hospitals, and one occurred in a care home.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

As at 30 May, 10,122 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.

In the week 24-30 May, eight deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, an increase of four deaths from the previous week.

There were two deaths in North Lanarkshire and two in Glasgow City. South Lanarkshire, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Falkirk and East Ayrshire all recorded one death.

The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,084. This was 39 deaths more than the five year average.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show a slight increase in deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, although numbers remain at very low levels.

 “There were six COVID-19 related deaths in hospitals, none in care homes and two elsewhere.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

As at 23 May, 10,114 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. 

In the week 17 April – 23 May, four deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of two deaths from the previous week and the lowest weekly total since September 2020.

There were two deaths in South Lanarkshire, one in East Dunbartonshire and one in Falkirk. Total deaths were three per cent below the five year average, with 29 fewer deaths in total. 

NRS has also today published data on the total number of deaths involving COVID-19 in individual hospitals and care homes in Scotland. 

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“This week’s figures show there were no deaths in 29 of 32 Scottish local authorities where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. 

“Our weekly updates on deaths in Scotland since April 2020 have included details on the number of deaths in care homes and hospitals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Today we have made available information on the number of deaths in each individual institution during this period.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

As at 16 May, 10,109 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.

In the week 10 May - 16 May, six deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of one death from the previous week.

At council level, North Lanarkshire recorded three COVID-related deaths, Glasgow City recorded two deaths, and Perth and Kinross recorded one death.

One death was of someone aged 75 or over, and the other five deaths were of people aged under 65.

Four deaths occurred in hospitals, one death occurred in a care home, and one in a non-institutional setting such as at home.

There were 32 excess deaths in the previous week, representing 3% above the five year average for this week.

Today’s monthly figures also show that post COVID-19 conditions, including “long COVID”, were mentioned on 11 death certificates in the period from March 2020 to April 2021.

In addition, three deaths in Scotland have been recorded with the underlying cause of death being due to adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines. This is in the context of 2.81 million people having been given at least one vaccine dose by 30 April 2021, according to statistics from Public Health Scotland.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: 

“Last week there were no registered COVID-19 deaths in 29 of Scotland’s 32 council areas. Across Scotland, six COVID-19 deaths were registered which is the lowest number since early September last year.

“The report also shows that deaths from COVID-19 continues to have a greater impact on people living in Scotland’s more deprived communities. Over the course of the pandemic, people living in these most deprived areas are 2.4 times as likely to die with COVID-19 than those living in the least deprived areas after adjusting for age.”

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.