National Records of Scotland announce quarterly figures to June

National Records of Scotland (NRS) have announced that a third more deaths were registered between April and June 2020, compared with the five year average.

A total of 18,201 deaths were registered between April and June. Covid-19 was the underlying cause in 3,739 deaths during this time, accounting for 83% of the 4,515 excess deaths when compared to the five year average. 

Today’s figures when compared with the five year average show:

·         Deaths from cancer increased by 1.5%

·         Deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increased by 24.5%

·         Deaths from coronary heart disease decreased by 1.8%

·         Deaths from respiratory diseases decreased by 20.6%

·         Deaths from cerebrovascular disease increased by 5.3%

·         Deaths from diseases of the genitourinary system increased by 22.5%

·         Deaths from diabetes increased by 26.2%

·         Deaths from transport accidents decreased by 69.1%

Julie Ramsay, Vital Events Statistician, said:“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the number of deaths we normally see at this time of year, and the overall death rate is a third higher than the five year average.

“Covid-19 has also impacted the number of marriages, from April to June only 117 marriages took place, a stark contrast to the five year average of 7,938.

“Similarly only 1,145 births were recorded, as this period coincided with a postponement of the registration of births. We are likely to see a large increase in the  number of birth registrations in the next quarter.”

Five of the marriages registered were same-sex marriages, a significant reduction compared with the five year average of 286.

One civil partnership was registered, compared to an average of 16 from April to June over the previous five years.