A third more deaths were registered between April and June 2020, compared with the five-year average, according to figures released today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
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.
