2022

New figures published today from the National Records of Scotland show birth rates continuing to decrease, death rates increasing, and the number of marriages rising beyond pre-pandemic levels.

Key findings from the latest quarterly report show:

• There were 12,284 births registered in Scotland between 1 October and 31 December 2021. This is 3.6 per cent lower than the quarter four average of 12,742 over the five years 2015-2019.
• At 17,297, the number of deaths in 2021 quarter four is 17.1 per cent higher than the quarter four average of 14,777 for 2015-2019.
• The age-standardised mortality rate for the four-quarter period ending in 2021 quarter 4 was 0.6 per cent higher than the previous four-quarter period (ending 2021 quarter 3). This rate takes into account the growing and ageing population and is therefore the best indicator of the direction of the mortality trend. 
• There were 6,793 marriages. This was 12% higher than the average number of fourth quarter marriages over the five years 2015-2019.
• There were 254 same-sex marriages, compared with a five-year average of 238.
• Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil partnership. Of the 193 civil partnerships registered in the fourth quarter of 2021, 173 involved mixed-sex couples.
• There were 20 same-sex civil partnerships, the same as the average 2015-2019.

Julie Ramsay, Vital Events statistician, said:

“Whilst the birth rate continued to fall and deaths were higher than the pre-pandemic average for the time of year, the number of marriages increased.

“12% more people got married in Scotland between October and December than the five year average for that time of year, coinciding with pandemic restrictions easing.”

There were 254 same-sex marriages, an increase on the five year average of 238, and of the 193 civil partnerships registered, 173 involved mixed-sex couples. The number of  same-sex civil partnerships remained in line with the five year average”

The publication ‘Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events - 4th Quarter 2021’ is available on the NRS website.

Background

1. The full publication ‘Births, deaths and other vital events, fourth quarter 2021’ is available on the NRS website. The report provides figures for vital events which were registered in Scotland in the period 1 October – 31 December 2021. The data includes statistics on births, stillbirths, marriages, civil partnerships and deaths, including:

• Quarterly figures for Scotland for each of the past 10 years
• The totals for each Local Authority and NHS Board area for the latest quarter
• More details analyses of the numbers of deaths for the latest quarter

2. Figures are provisional and might be subject to further revision. Figures for 2021 will be finalised when the annual vital events reference tables are published in summer 2022.

3. Comparisons are usually made by comparing the current year to the average of the previous five years.  For 2021, standard practice would be to compare against the 2016-2020 average.  However, as the 2020 figures were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – marriages were much lower than usual, deaths were higher, and registration of births was delayed – comparing 2021 figure to the 2016-2020 average would not give a true reflection of how the latest quarter’s figures compare to the average.  Comparisons have therefore been made against the 2015-2019 average.

4. National Records of Scotland (NRS) is a non-ministerial department of the Scottish Government. It is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. General information about NRS’s statistics can be found in the About our Statistics section of its website.

Media enquiries should be directed to: 
Donna Green – 07775 027 380
NRS Communications
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

As at 6 March 2022, 13,429 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 28 February to 6 March, 110 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, an increase of 30 deaths from the previous week.

57 were male, 53 were female. 7 deaths were aged under 65, 21 were aged 65-74 and there were 82 deaths in people aged 75 or over.

Glasgow City (15 deaths), City of Edinburgh (14 deaths) and Fife (12 deaths) had the highest numbers of deaths at council level. In total, 25 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death last week.

69 deaths were in hospitals, 34 were in care homes and 7 were at home or in a non-institutional setting.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 110 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is 30 more deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,178, which is 3% more than the five year average.”

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

Background

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised in summer 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Donna Green
NRS Communications
Tel: 07775-027-380
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

New figures published today from the National Records of Scotland show that of 63,093 registered deaths in Scotland in 2020, 17,153 (27%) were considered avoidable.

Key findings from the 2020 report show:

• The rate of avoidable mortality increased by 9% (to 336 per 100,000 people) in 2020. This increase was mostly due to COVID-19 deaths.
• After adjusting for age, avoidable mortality rates among males (425 per 100,000) were 1.7 times as high as those among females (253 per 100,000).
• Cancers and circulatory diseases were the most common causes of avoidable mortality in 2020, accounting for 29% and 25% of all avoidable deaths respectively.
• Alcohol and drug-related avoidable mortality rates increased for the ninth year in a row, with 52 deaths per 100,000 people.
• After adjusting for age, avoidable mortality rates in the most deprived areas were nearly 4 times the rates of those in the least deprived areas.
• Scotland has a higher avoidable mortality rate (336 per 100,000 people) than both England (257 per 100,000) and Wales (287 per 100,000).  This continues the historic trend of Scotland having the highest avoidable mortality rates among GB countries.

Avoidable mortality is a measure of deaths from causes for which all or most deaths are considered avoidable through timely and effective healthcare and public health interventions

Julie Ramsay, Head of Vital Events Statistics, said:

“The avoidable mortality rate in Scotland fell between 2003 and 2014, but remained fairly stable from then until 2019. The inclusion of COVID-19 as an avoidable cause of death has contributed to the increased rate of avoidable mortality seen in 2020.”

“Avoidable alcohol and drug-related deaths continued to increase, but there were fewer avoidable deaths from cancers and respiratory illnesses than in previous years.”

The publication ‘Avoidable Mortality in Scotland, 2020’ is available on the NRS website.

Background

1. The full publication ‘Avoidable Mortality in Scotland, 2020’ and summary infographic are available on the NRS website. The report details information on the number of deaths that were registered in Scotland in 2020 which were classified as avoidable.

2. Information is broken down by age-group, sex, cause of death, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile, NHS Board and Local Authority area.

3. ‘Avoidable mortality’ are deaths which are considered either preventable or treatable through public health or healthcare interventions. The term ‘avoidable mortality’ is based on an international definition by the OECD/Eurostat and looks only at deaths under the age of 75.

4. When discussing avoidable deaths, the following terms are used:

• Preventable mortality – deaths that can be mainly avoided through effective public health and primary prevention interventions
• Treatable mortality – deaths that can be mainly avoided through timely and effective healthcare interventions, including secondary prevention and treatment
• Avoidable mortality – deaths defined as either preventable or treatable

5. National Records of Scotland (NRS) produces statistics on Scotland’s population, including the numbers of births, deaths, marriages and other vital events. General information about NRS’s statistics can be found in the About our Statistics section of its website.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Ewan Mathieson
NRS Communications
Tel: 07949 441311
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

As at 27 February 2022, 13,316 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 21 to 27 February, 79 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, an increase of three deaths from the previous week.

7 deaths were aged under 65, 8 were aged 65-74 and there were 64 deaths in people aged 75 or over. 40 were male, and 39 were female.

Glasgow City (12 deaths) and Fife (8 deaths) had the highest numbers of deaths at council level. In total, 25 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death last week.

41 deaths were in hospitals, 25 were in care homes and 12 were at home or in a non-institutional setting. One death occurred in another institutional setting.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 79 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is three more deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,171, which is 6% fewer than the five year average.”

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

Background

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised in summer 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Donna Green
NRS Communications
Tel: 07775-027-380
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

Paul Lowe, Registrar General for Scotland, has today confirmed the appointment of Anne Slater, NRS Director of Operations and Customer Services, as Deputy Registrar General (DRG). This follows the decision by Rod Burns, who has been DRG for the past 11 years, to leave the Civil Service.

Paul Lowe said: “In his time as DRG, Rod can look back on a career well spent in the service of Scotland. He has made important contributions to developing the registration service, played a significant role in the service’s response to covid and has had a positive impact on a range of important areas of Government policy and legislation. I wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Paul continued: “I am delighted to appoint Anne to this key role in the organisation, in addition to her existing responsibilities. Going forward this will ensure that the DRG role is directly incorporated within the Executive leadership of NRS and at Board level, reflecting its importance in the organisation.

Anne’s considerable experience, including as a former interim RG and her existing responsibilities for the Registration Service, as part of her Director responsibilities, mean that she will be able to bring much to the role from day one. I greatly look forward to working with Anne in her new capacity, as we work to evolve the registration service to respond to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Anne Slater said: “I’m delighted to take on this role and to continue to work with Paul, our terrific registration services team, Scottish Government and Registration colleagues and other stakeholders across Scotland.”

NRS, through the office of Registrar General, oversees the registration of life events including births, marriages, deaths, civil partnerships, divorces and adoptions. NRS is also responsible for the statutes relating to the formalities of marriage and civil partnership, and the conduct of civil marriage and for overall leadership of the registration service in Scotland.

See the Registration section of the NRS website for information on NRS registration services

Scotland’s Census 2022 launches today (February 28) with a call for households across Scotland to complete their return.

The census is a unique count of everyone in Scotland; it is used to plan vital public services and inform investment in areas such as education, transport, health and social care. For the first time it is anticipated that the majority of census responses will be made online, with paper questionnaires available for those who wish to use them.

From today more than 2.5 million households representing 5.5 million people will receive a letter with information on how to participate. Census Day is 20 March but households can complete their return now, although responses should reflect their circumstances on census day.

The launch of the census in Glasgow will be marked by the unveiling of a large-scale artwork by Pilar Garcia de Leaniz, a Spanish artist based in Edinburgh. The artwork ‘Scotland Connected’ represents the fabric of Scotland, its people and the role of the census. The ‘Scotland Connected’ artwork will tour a number of communities across Scotland, who will each add to the artwork during March in the run up to its arrival in Edinburgh on census day.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, said:

“Scotland’s Census is unique in asking the whole nation important questions that help us to better understand the future needs of our communities.

"The census helps the Scottish Government, Local Government and other service providers to plan services and make decisions about how public money will be spent on major services in our communities, including schools, roads and hospitals.

“It's essential we maximise participation and ensure that everyone is heard and their needs captured.”

The census will ask questions on a range of topics, including the types of accommodation people stay in, household relationships, age, sex, health and employment status. New questions for the 2022 census include use of on British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, sexual orientation, trans status and previous armed forces service history.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, National Records of Scotland (NRS), said:

“I am delighted to launch Scotland’s Census 2022 today in Glasgow and to celebrate this unique exercise, which helps us understand the shape of Scotland and informs important funding decisions for the vital public services we all rely on.

“It’s really important that everyone participates, whether online or by paper form. Help and support is available on our website census.gov.scot or via our free helpline 0800 030 8308, for anyone who needs it.

“We are privileged to be able to call on Pilar’s creative support in bringing the census to life and I very much look forward to seeing the ‘Scotland Connected’ artwork being completed as it visits our many and diverse communities between now and Census Day.”

Pilar Garcia de Leaniz studied as a Master of Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art where she is currently a Teaching Fellow in Textiles, said:

“The artwork ‘Scotland Connected’ is a visual representation of the fabric of Scotland, showcasing its people, landmarks and the benefits of the census. “Scotland Connected” is inspired by a desire to show everything that’s great about Scotland and I’m excited to see the canvas come to life over the coming weeks as it tours communities.

“It’s been a real honour to be a part of the project and have the chance to produce a piece that captures the essence of the census and the way in which it benefits communities across Scotland.”

A census of the population has been taken every 10 years in Scotland since 1801, with the exception of 1941, because of World War Two and in 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information and to complete the census online, visit census.gov.scot.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) have today released Perth Prison registers online, the first time records like these have been made available digitally.

The names of men, women and children held at HMP Perth – Scotland’s first general prison – can now be searched free of charge via ScotlandsPeople, NRS’s family history research service. Images of the original handwritten admission registers can be viewed and downloaded for a small fee.

This collection, covering most years between 1867-1879 and 1888-1921 for males and 1901-1916 for females, is the first in a series of prison registers to be released. It is part of a wider ongoing programme in NRS, making more of Scotland’s national archives accessible digitally.

Welcoming the latest release, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson said:

“NRS archives contain a wealth of valuable information about Scotland’s history and the stories of our ancestors. I welcome this latest records release, which will help people in Scotland and around the world to access more of our past from their own home.”

NRS Chief Executive Paul Lowe said:

“Tens of thousands of men and women from all over Scotland were held at Perth Prison during this period, including many who left few traces in the wider historical record. These registers offer important insight into their lives, and they can help to unlock new possibilities for research.

“I am hugely proud of the ambitious work NRS are taking forward to bring their stories and those of many others to light and to make these accessible to a wider audience through digital technology. These registers of prisoners join our already rich collections of civil registers, church records and much more available through our ScotlandsPeople service.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said:

“We are aware that these documents are of significant historical importance, particularly to researchers, historians and those in the genealogical community, and it is gratifying to see that the public will have access to them through the National Records of Scotland.”

Find out more about the newly available prison registers here at ScotlandsPeople.

As at 20 February 2022, 13,235 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 14 to 20 February, 75 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of five deaths from the previous week.

9 deaths were aged under 65, 10 were aged 65-74 and there were 56 deaths in people aged 75 or over.

Aberdeenshire, City of Edinburgh, East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow City, and Perth and Kinross (all with 6 deaths), had the highest numbers of deaths at council level. In total, 27 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death last week.

51 deaths were in hospitals, 17 were in care homes and 7 were at home or in a non-institutional setting.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 75 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is five fewer deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,152, which is 9% fewer than the five year average.”

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

Background

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised in summer 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Donna Green
NRS Communications
Tel: 07775-027-380
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

As at 13 February 2022, 13,157 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 7 to 13 February, 79 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of 39 deaths from the previous week.

59 deaths were aged 75 or older, 15 were aged 65 to 74 and 5 were under 65. 38 were female and 41 were male.

There were 13 deaths in Glasgow City, 8 in City of Edinburgh and 6 in Fife. In total 27 council areas (out of 32) had at least one death involving COVID-19 last week.

52 were in hospitals, 23 were in care homes and 4 were at home or a non-institutional setting.

Our monthly analysis shows that the age-standardised rate of COVID-related deaths was higher in January 2022 (115 per 100,000) compared to December 2021 (66 per 100,000). Throughout the pandemic, the highest rate of COVID-related deaths was 585 per 100,000 people in April 2020.

Of the 13,061 deaths involving COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2022, 93% (12,115) had at least one pre-existing condition, with the most common being dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 79 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is 39 fewer deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,226, which is 41, or 3%, fewer than the five year average.”

There have been seven deaths in Scotland in which the underlying cause of death was due to the adverse effects of vaccination against COVID-19, and one death where an adverse effect was mentioned on the death certificate. This is an increase of one from the figure reported last month. By 31 January 2022, statistics from Public Health Scotland state that 4.4 million people had been given at least one vaccine dose.

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

Background

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised in summer 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Ewan Mathieson
NRS Communications
Tel: 07949441311
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

As at 6 February 2022, 13,075 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 31 January to 6 February, 118 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of four deaths from the previous week.

10 deaths were aged under 65, 23 were aged 65-74 and there were 85 deaths in people aged 75 or over.

Glasgow City (16 deaths), Fife (14 deaths) and Falkirk (11 deaths) had the highest numbers of deaths at council level. In total, 28 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death last week.

61 deaths were in hospitals, 48 were in care homes, 8 were at home or in a non-institutional setting and there was 1 death in another institutional setting.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 118 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is four fewer deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,247, which is 6% fewer than the five year average.”

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

Background

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised in summer 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Donna Green
NRS Communications
Tel: 07775-027-380
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]