Deaths lower than expected in second quarter

The number of deaths registered in Scotland in the second quarter of this year was 6.2%  lower than expected, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland.  
15,049 deaths were recorded between 1 April and 30 June. The expected number, using a method which adjusts for the growing and aging population, was 16,040. 

Phillipa Haxton, Head of Vital Events Statistics at NRS, said: 

“The number of deaths was 6.2% lower than our expected number for this time of year. 

“Across all age groups, deaths were below expected levels for the second quarter of this year.  

“There were 643 female deaths, 8% lower than the expected number, and 348 male deaths, 4% lower than expected for this time of year.”

11,022 births were registered in Scotland between 1 April and 30 June. This is 6.5% lower than the five year average for this quarter. 

There were 7,925 marriages.  This was 4.4% higher than the quarter two average. Of these, 316 were same-sex marriages, compared with an average of 251.

These figures are provisional. 

Background

National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. 

The report Births, Deaths and other Vital Events Quarter 2 2024 is available online. There is also the option to look at data tables. 

As a result of methodology changes, we are no longer producing as many breakdowns of excess deaths as we previously did. Information on future developments to the new excess deaths methodology can be found on the ONS website. Estimates of excess deaths produced by the new methodology are labelled as Official Statistics in Development while further review, testing and development work is undertaken.

Comparisons for statistics (other than deaths) are usually made by comparing the current year to the average for the previous five years. For 2024, standard practice would be to compare against the 2019- 2023 average. As the 2020 figures were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – marriages were much lower than usual  and registration of births was delayed - comparing the 2024 figures to an average including 2020 would not give a true reflection of how the latest quarter’s figures compare to the average. 2024 comparisons have therefore been made against the 5 years 2018-2019 plus 2021-2023.

Our statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff. General information about population statistics can be accessed in the About our Statistics section of the NRS website.

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

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