Scotland deaths 6.2% lower than expected for second quarter of 2024

The number of deaths registered in Scotland during the second quarter of 2024 was 6.2% lower than expected, statisticians have announced.

According to new figures published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), there were 15,049 deaths recorded in Scotland between April 1 and June 30.

This compares to an expected figure of 16,040, which was calculated using a method that takes into account the growing and ageing population.

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

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.”

There were 11,022 births registered in Scotland during the same period, which is 6.5% lower than the five-year average for this quarter.

The figures also that there were 7,925 marriages, a 4.4% increase on the average for the three-month period.

Of these, 316 were same-sex marriages, which compares with an average for the quarter of 251.

The full report entitled Births, Deaths and other Vital Events Quarter 2 2024 is available online on the NRS website.

NRS is a non-ministerial department of the Scottish Government responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population.