This Appendix gives general notes on some of the data and conventions used in this report as well as providing definitions for some of the terminology used.
GENERAL
— tabular conventions
Where a range of years is listed in a time series table, e.g. 1951-55, the data presented will be an average for this period.
Throughout the tables ‘year’ means ‘calendar year’ except where otherwise defined. By convention, many of the time series presented start at Census years, e.g. 1991.
— date of registration and place of occurrence
All the data presented on births, stillbirths, marriages and deaths relate to the date of registration of the event and not to the date of occurrence; for example, a birth on 31 December 2001 which was registered on 5 January 2002 would be included in the 2002 figures. Births and stillbirths are usually registered within the statutory period of 21 days. Similarly, marriages are usually registered within 3 days and deaths within 8 days.
Births, stillbirths, and deaths have been allocated to the area of usual residence if it is in Scotland, otherwise to the area of occurrence. Marriage figures relate to the area of occurrence.
POPULATION
All population figures refer to estimates as at 30 June of the year in question.
Throughout this report, revised annual mid-year estimates of population are used for comparing population trends and for calculating rates per head for the period 1982-2000. Population estimates for these years were revised to be in-line with the mid2001 population estimates which were based on the results of the 2001 Census. More information describing the methods used to produce revised population estimates is available on the GROS website at www.nrscotland.gov.uk
— population covered
The resident population of an area includes all those usually resident there whatever their nationality. Students are treated as being resident at their term-time address. Members of HM and non-UK armed forces stationed in Scotland are included; HM forces stationed outside Scotland are excluded.
— age
Population figures relate to 30 June of the year shown and ages relate to age last birthday.
— population projections
Population projections for Scotland are prepared by the Government Actuary, at the request of, and in consultation with, the Registrar General. The latest projection was the 2001-based interim projections. The latest set of sub-national projections, produced by the Registrar General, for administrative areas of Scotland consistent with the Scotland projections are the 2000-based projections published in January 2002.
The 2000-based population projections for Scotland and its administrative areas used the previously published 2000 mid-year estimates as a base, which are some 56,000 higher than the revised 2000 mid-year estimates (consistent with the 2001 Census results). While the 2000-based sub-national projections are in need of updating, the general picture is unlikely to change.
A set of 2002-based projections for Scotland, which take full account of the 2001 Census, is planned for October 2003 with sub-national projections, consistent with the national projection, planned for November 2003.
BIRTHS
— general fertility rate (GFR)
The number of births per woman of child-bearing age (15-44).
— total fertility rate (TFR)
The average number of children that would be born to a cohort of women who experienced throughout their child-bearing years, the fertility rates of the calendar year in question.
— age specific fertility rate (ASFR)
The number of births per individual for a specific age during a specified time.
— cohort
A well-defined group of people who have had a common experience or exposure who are observed through time. For example, the birth cohort of 1900 refers to people born in that year.
— marital status of parents
Married parents: refers to parents who are married to each other. Unmarried parents: refers to parents who are unmarried or married but not to each other.
— National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SeC)
This new social classification has replaced the previously published Registrar General’s Social Class. It is principally based on the individual’s occupation and has been introduced in order to reflect a modern view of social classification. It was introduced from 2001 onwards. Further information can be obtained from the Office for National statistics web site: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/methods_quality/ns_sec/default.asp
DEATHS
— cause-of-death coding
From 1 January 2000, deaths in Scotland have been coded in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (Tenth Revision) (ICD10). Classification of underlying cause of death is based on information collected on the medical certificate of cause of death together with any additional information provided subsequently by the certifying doctor. Changes notified to GROS by Procurators Fiscal are also taken into account. In cases of homicide, intentional self-harm (suicide) and other deaths from violence, advice may be sought from the Crown Office.
— expectation of life
The average number of additional years a person could expect to live if current mortality trends were to continue for the rest of that person’s life. Most commonly cited is life expectancy at birth.
— age standardisation
A straight comparison of crude rates between areas may present a misleading picture because of differences in the sex and age structure of the respective populations. The technique of standardisation has been used in certain tables and charts to remedy this. In general, standardisation involves a comparison of the actual number of events occurring in an area with the aggregate number expected if the age/sex specific rates in the standard population were applied to the age/sex groups of the observed population.
— stillbirth
Section 56(1) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 defined a stillbirth as a child which had issued forth from its mother after the 28th week of pregnancy and which did not breathe or show any other sign of life. The Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992, which came into effect on 1 October 1992, amended Section 56(1) of the 1965 Act (and other relevant UK legislation), replacing the reference to the 28th week with a reference to the 24th week.
— perinatal
Refers to stillbirths and deaths in the first week of life.
– infant
Refers to all deaths in the first year of life.
MIGRATION
Net migration figures presented in Chapter 1 for the period 1982-2000 have been provisionally revised following the revisions to the population estimates for the same years (see section on Population in this Appendix). Unless otherwise stated, these are estimates of net civilian migration which include movements to and from the Armed Forces but exclude other changes, such as changes in the numbers of Armed Forces stationed in Scotland.
More detailed migration revisions are planned for later in 2003. These revisions will take account of detailed migration results from the 2001 Census due out later this year and the National Statistics Quality Review of International Migration Statistics being carried out by the Office for National Statistics, also due out later this year.
The migration estimates for the twelve months up to mid-2002 used in the 2002 midyear population estimates include a number of special adjustments to take account of the results from the 2001 Census and information on list cleaning in the NHSCR (National Health Service Central Register). More information on these adjustments is detailed on the GROS website at: http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/mid-year-population-estimates/archive/mid-2002-population-estimates
MARRIAGES
Civil marriages were introduced by the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1939, which came into operation on 1 July 1940.
DIVORCES
The data presented on divorces relate to the date on which the decrees were granted.
In legal terms the 1976 Act introduced a single ground for divorce – irretrievable breakdown of marriage – with the detailed reasons as ‘proofs’. However, the information presented in this report on reasons for divorce retains the terminology ‘grounds for divorce’.
ADOPTIONS
The Registrar General for Scotland registers adoptions under the Adoption of Children (Scotland) Act 1930.