2022

As at 12 June 2022, 14,858 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 6 to 12 June, 38 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, an increase of 18 deaths from the previous week.

25 were aged 75 or older, 11 were aged 65 to 74 and 2 were under 65. 12 were female and 26 were male.

There were 4 deaths in North Lanarkshire and in Perth and Kinross, the highest council level totals last week.

In total 21 council areas (out of 32) had at least one death involving COVID-19 last week.

32 were in hospitals, 5 were in care homes, and 1 at home or a non-institutional setting.

Our monthly analysis shows that the age standardised death rate for deaths involving COVID-19 was lower in May 2022 (46 per 100,000) compared to April 2022 (112 per 100,000). Throughout the pandemic, the highest rate was 585 deaths per 100,000 people in April 2020.

Of the 14,831 deaths involving COVID-19 between March 2020 and May 2022, 93% (13,816) had at least one pre-existing condition. Just under one quarter of people whose death involved COVID-19 had dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This was the most common main pre-existing condition.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 38 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is 18 more deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in the latest week was 1,191, which is 126, or 12%, more than the five year average. It is important to note that registered deaths will be higher than expected in week 23 due to bank holidays in week 22 causing fewer registrations that week.”

There have been nine deaths in Scotland in which the underlying cause of death was due to the adverse effects of vaccination against COVID-19, and two further deaths where an adverse effect was mentioned on the death certificate. This is no increase from the figure reported last month. By 31 May 2022, statistics from Public Health Scotland state that 4.4 million people had been given at least one vaccine dose.

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

Background

Since 23 March we have ceased publishing weekly news releases and full reports but continue to update the weekly COVID-19 death information in our data and charts spreadsheet. We publish a full report and news release at 9.30 am once a month.

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised on 28 June 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Donna Green
NRS Communications
Tel: 07775-027-380
Email: [email protected]

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

The next phase of Scotland’s Census 2022 gets underway today with the launch of the Census Coverage Survey (CCS).

The CCS is the second largest social research exercise in Scotland after the census itself, covering around 1.5% of households. Together with census data it helps to provide an accurate estimate of Scotland’s population and the people within it.

The survey will be conducted by door-to-door by staff carrying identification.

Paul Lowe, Registrar General for Scotland and Chief Executive, National Records of Scotland said:

“The Census Coverage Survey is a key part of the census programme and ensures a comprehensive and accurate picture of return rates across the country has been recorded.

“Even if you have completed the census, you may still be asked to take part in the coverage survey. By doing so, you are supporting the census to deliver its many benefits for service planning in Scotland. Please participate if asked to take part.”

The CCS is a standard feature of modern census operations and will run over a number of weeks. This will be the third time it has taken place in Scotland following the 2001 and 2011 censuses. Similar surveys have also been used in the rest of the UK. 

Along with other administrative data, the CCS enables statisticians to estimate for the nature and volume of missing census returns, and deliver the statistical dataset used to deliver strong outputs.

CCS staff will carry ID and their identity can be checked with a free telephone helpline on 0800 033 4010. They will never ask people for financial information like their bank account details and will not ask for money.

A small number of questions will be asked, that can either be provided on the doorstep, by completing a paper form or by speaking to the free helpline.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) has published its latest national and local authority level census return data today, as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson MSP provided an update to Parliament.

The Cabinet Secretary briefed Parliament on the latest return rates; provided an overview of the outcome of the census data collection phase, including the extension; and set out the next steps for the programme.

NRS data shows that:

• The national return rate currently stands at 87.9%, which represents an 8.7 percentage point increase in returns since the start of the extension period
• 10 Local Authorities have achieved return rates greater than 90% (none had achieved this on 01 May)
• 28 Local Authorities have met the 85% Local Authority target (only 1 had achieved this on 01 May)
• All Local Authorities are now above 80% (13 were below 80% on 01 May)
• Glasgow (the lowest response rate area) has increased by 10.7 pp since the start of the extension period from 71.0% to 81.7%
• 88.9% of returns have been made online with 11.1% on paper

Speaking at Parliament, Angus Robertson said:

“I want to say thank you to the nearly 2.3 million households who have completed the census. There has been a considerable improvement in return rates since 1 May evidencing the value of the extension period.

“By allowing outstanding online and paper returns to be submitted over a further month, NRS is confident that the national return rate and coverage across the country, coupled with planned post-collection quality control and assurance work, will provide a credible, high quality census output.

“The support and advice from the International Steering Group, chaired by Professor James Brown, will help NRS to produce a high quality census data set – one that will ultimately provide them with the right statistical outputs they need to inform future service planning.

“As Professor Brown set out last week, the return rates have provided a ‘solid foundation’ to move to the next phase.”

The Cabinet Secretary also updated Parliament on the range of interventions adopted to help drive higher return rates during the extension period, noting that:

• A significant multichannel awareness campaign was extended, including social media, radio and TV advertisements, reminding people of the importance of completing their census and their legal responsibility
• More than 30,700 calls were handled by staff at the contact centre during this period, with more than 214 language interpretations offered and 5314 telephone data captures

During the entire ‘live’ period, in addition to the approximately 8.9 million letters and postcards issued to households, more than 560,000 paper questionnaires were also issued. Census field staff also undertook just under 1.7 million household visits across Scotland, providing in person support, including doorstep capture, to those who needed it.

Paul Lowe, NRS Chief Executive said:

“As Scotland’s census taking body we recommended an extension to the census in May as the most appropriate way to improve response rates both nationally and at local level. This has enabled more than 200,000 additional households to complete their census and for the majority of Local Authorities to achieve return rates greater than our 85% local authority response rate target, with no authority below 80%.

“I want to thank everyone who has done their part to complete the census and meet their legal responsibility. The much improved return rate and the very important coverage achieved across the country provide us with the confidence to conclude that we are in a good position to move onto the next element of the census.

“Our next steps are focused around planned post-collection quality control and assurance, including the commencement of the Census Coverage Survey from June 13 – the second largest social research exercise in Scotland after the census itself. These are important as we work to produce high quality census outputs.”

Cumulative Household Return Rate by Local Authority - 08 June 2022

Aberdeen City: 87.8%
Aberdeenshire: 92.7%
Angus: 90.2%
Argyll and Bute: 88.3%
City of Edinburgh: 89.4%
Clackmannanshire: 88.6%
Dumfries and Galloway: 90.5%
Dundee City: 84.4%
East Ayrshire: 88.6%
East Dunbartonshire: 90.1% 
East Lothian: 90.1%
East Renfrewshire 88.7%
Falkirk: 89.9%
Fife: 88.1%
Glasgow City: 81.7%
Highland: 90.0%
Inverclyde: 84.2%
Midlothian: 89.6%
Moray: 90.1%
Na h-Eileanan Siar: 93.4%
North Ayrshire: 86.9%
North Lanarkshire: 86.0%
Orkney Islands: 93.1%
Perth and Kinross: 89.1%
Renfrewshire: 86.2%
Scottish Borders: 89.8%
Shetland Islands: 98.0%
South Ayrshire: 90.5%
South Lanarkshire: 88.2%
Stirling: 89.7%
West Dunbartonshire: 82.4%
West Lothian: 89.6%

a. Data extracted from Enumeration Dashboard on 09 June 2022 and presents % households enumerated up to 4am on the 09 June 2022.

b. Return rate percentages are based on the Number of Households for Enumeration on the given date.

c. Return rate rounded up to nearest one decimal place

Background

1. Towards the end of May, census field staff undertook a doorstep data collection exercise, inviting householders to comment on the reasons they had not yet completed the census.

For further detail please see: Summary of doorstep collection exercise: Reasons for not yet completing the census

2. An extension to the census collection period has occurred internationally. Countries including Poland, Japan and the United States of America have all taken similar steps in recent years to ensure maximum participation.

England and Wales also extended their enumeration of some specific communal establishments for a period of 3-4 weeks in their 2021 census.

An extension to the census collection period remains a legitimate, and often used, process to facilitate engagement with the census process.

There was a 21% rise in the number of marriages in the first quarter of this year, according to new figures from the National Records of Scotland.

The Quarter 1 Vital Events report shows there were 3,666 marriages. This was 21% more than the five year average number of marriages for quarter one.

The report also highlights that the number of births is continuing to decrease and the number of deaths has also fallen slightly in comparison with the five year average. 

Julie Ramsay, Vital Events statistician, said:

“21% more people got married in Scotland between January and March this year than is usual for that time of year. The number of marriages continues to increase after restrictions on marriages, which were first put in place in quarter 2 of 2020, were eased.

“There were 129 same-sex marriages, a small increase on the five year average of 123. 118 civil partnerships were registered, 96 involving mixed-sex couples.

“There were 22 same-sex civil partnerships – eight more than the average of 14.”

“There were slightly fewer deaths than the recent average for the time of year.”

The publication ‘Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events - 1st Quarter 2022’ is available on the NRS website.

Background

Key figures from the report:

• There were 12,129 births registered in Scotland between 1 January and 31 March 2022. This is 4.3% lower than the quarter one average of 12,676.
• There were 48 stillbirths (3.9 per 1000 live and still births), 10% fewer than the quarter one average.
• There were 43 infant deaths (3.5 per 1000 live births), 7% lower than the quarter one average.
• At 16,179, the number of deaths in quarter one of 2022 is 0.9% lower than the quarter one average of 16,329.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) was the underlying cause of 939 deaths during quarter one and there were no deaths where the underlying cause was adverse effects of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• The age-standardised mortality rate for the four-quarter period ending in 2022 quarter one was 2.3% lower than the previous four-quarter period ending quarter four of 2021. This rate takes into account the growing and ageing population and is therefore the best indicator of the direction of the mortality trend. 
• There were 129 same-sex marriages, compared with a five-year average of 123.
• Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil partnership. Of the 118 civil partnerships registered in the first quarter of 2022, 96 involved mixed-sex couples.
• There were 22 same-sex civil partnerships, an increase of eight from the average of 14.

2. The full publication ‘Births, deaths and other vital events, first quarter 2022’ is available on the NRS website. The report provides figures for vital events which were registered in Scotland in the period 1 January – 31 March 2022. The data includes statistics on births, stillbirths, marriages, civil partnerships and deaths, including:

• Quarterly figures for Scotland for each of the past 10 years
• The totals for each Local Authority and NHS Board area for the latest quarter
• More details analyses of the numbers of deaths for the latest quarter

3. Figures are provisional and might be subject to further revision. Figures for 2022 will be finalised when the annual vital events reference tables are published in summer 2023.

4. Comparisons are usually made by comparing the current year to the average of the previous five years.  For 2022, standard practice would be to compare against the 2017-2021 average.  However, as the 2020 figures were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – marriages were much lower than usual, deaths were higher, and registration of births was delayed – comparing 2022 figure to the 2017-2021 average would not give a true reflection of how the latest quarter’s figures compare to the average.  Comparisons have therefore been made against the average of the five years 2016-2019 plus 2021.

5. National Records of Scotland (NRS) is a non-ministerial department of the Scottish Government. It is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s population. General information about NRS’s statistics can be found in the About our Statistics section of its website.

Media enquiries should be directed to: 
Donna Green – 07775 027 380
NRS Communications
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:

NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

Scotland’s Census 2022 has a ‘solid foundation’ on which to build, according to the chair of the expert ‘International Steering Group’ established by the Registrar General for Scotland. This comes as NRS prepares to move forward to its census coverage survey, the next phase of the census.

Professor James Brown, ABS Professor of Official Statistics at University of Technology Sydney, is leading a group of pre-eminent international authorities in census coverage and use of administrative data, to provide the Registrar General with external advice as to the quality of the census and the planned statistical approaches that will be used to produce high quality census outputs.

NRS is currently reporting a return rate of 87.5%, or 2,284,582 households. 28 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas have achieved return rates of 85% or higher, and five of these have exceeded 90%.

Professor Brown said:

“In line with international best practice a high quality 21st century census of population and housing brings together several phases of data collection and reconciliation, to deliver robust and detailed estimates of the numbers of individuals and households. The Scottish Census is no exception and the main collection phase has now generated the data that is the basis of these estimates.

“While the overall return rates are lower than originally planned, NRS’s extension has improved consistency and returns across the country. With this solid foundation it is now time to move to the next phase and conduct a high quality coverage survey. The coverage survey, combined with innovative use of administrative data, will allow NRS to estimate the size, shape and characteristics of the population as planned. The statistical methods for this are designed to be robust in a range of scenarios. This will ensure the census estimates are representative of both Scotland as a whole and its local communities, as well as enable comparisons across the UK.”

Paul Lowe, Registrar General for Scotland and Chief Executive, National Records of Scotland said:

“I am delighted to be able to draw on the expertise of Professor Brown and of such a distinguished group of statisticians and experts in census and administrative data.

“We have secured a good level of national census returns and coverage. I am pleased that the International Steering Group has acknowledged that we are in a strong position to move forward and I welcome the contributions they will make to steering our statistical and methodological work over the next few months. This will support us to deliver our census coverage survey, and our work to identify the appropriate administrative data which can support our quality assurance work.

“Our wide range of customers and users of census data can be further reassured that this support and advice from the Steering Group will help NRS to produce a high quality census data set – one that will ultimately provide them with the right statistical outputs they need to inform future service planning.”

The International Steering Group also comprises:

• Professor Sir Ian Diamond, UK National Statistician
• Professor David Martin, Professor of Geography at the University of Southampton and Deputy Director of the UK Data Service
• Owen Abbott OBE, Deputy Director, Methods & Statistical Design at ONS
• Abby Morgan, Senior Design Analyst, Stats New Zealand
• Alastair McAlpine, Interim Chief Statistician, Scottish Government
• Professor Andrew Morris, Director, Health Data Research UK
• Roeland Beerten, Chief Statistician, Statistics Flanders

The membership may be extended subject to availability/requirement. 

The Census Coverage Survey, which launches on 13 June, was used previously in 2001 and 2011 in Scotland. This is a separate survey from the census and although it covers a much smaller number of Scottish households – about 1.5% - is still the second-largest social research exercise in Scotland after the census itself.

It is conducted door-to-door by staff carrying identification and ensures that a comprehensive and accurate picture of return rates across the country has been recorded.

Tomorrow is the last day to complete Scotland’s Census, as National Records of Scotland (NRS) confirms the close down of their public awareness campaign and census collection field teams on 31 May.

This is the final reminder to householders across the country to fulfil their legal responsibility and fill in their census.

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive of NRS, said: 

“It was great last week to cross the 85% response rate nationally - a major milestone in the census - and to see 25 Local Authorities exceeding their local target of 85%. I want to say a huge thank you to each and every household across the country who has done their bit. 

“Tomorrow is the last chance for households to complete and submit their census. My message to those who have yet to complete is: don’t miss out. Don’t regret not taking part. Big decisions about our local communities and our nation as a whole are based on census data. Everyone’s circumstances need to be captured to ensure the best decisions are taken, so please complete now.”

After tomorrow, NRS census field teams will disband and its community and public awareness campaign will cease. Small numbers of returns delayed for legitimate reasons will still count if returned in the days immediately after 31st May. 

From Wednesday NRS will move into the next phase of the census, known as the census coverage survey. This survey is a critical part of modern censuses and was used in 2001 and 2011 in Scotland. It supports the census and ensures a comprehensive and accurate picture of the response rates across the country has been recorded.

The census can be filled in online at census.gov.scot or on paper. Paper forms can still be ordered on the website or by calling 0800 030 8308 and will still be accepted after tomorrow.

Over two million households have opted to complete the census online, according to new figures released by National Records of Scotland today.

More than 250,000 households have also returned paper forms taking the current national completion figure to 86%.

Earlier this week the Scotland’s Census 2022 passed the 85% return rate milestone in 25 local authority areas.

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland, said:

“As the first ever principally digital census in Scotland, it's been fantastic to see more than two million households choose to complete their census successfully online. With over 89% of census returns being received this way, it reflects the popularity and acceptability of this innovative approach across the nation and will inform how we run the census in future.

“Earlier this week we also crossed a number of milestones, with over 2.2 million household responses received, exceeding an 85% national return rate and 25 Local Authorities exceeding 85%. I want to thank everyone who has already filled in their census.

“I would urge everyone who has not completed their return to do so now. You only have until the end of the month to make sure that your voice is heard. Census data is used to make important decisions on vital public services like schools, hospitals, housing and public transport, so filling it in really makes a difference to you, your family and your community.”

There is significant support for people to complete the census. There have been over 1.58 million visits by census field staff to doorsteps, 370,000 calls to the Scotland’s Census contact centre and 65,000 emails and web chat enquiries answered.

If you haven’t completed your census please visit the website census.gov.scot or call the freephone helpline number on 0800 030 8308.

Of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities, 25 now have a census return rate of over 85%, National Records of Scotland confirmed today.

Across Scotland, 2,238,784 households have now returned their census, representing a current national return rate of 85.7%.

Census returns must be submitted by the end of May; failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive, NRS said:

“It’s very encouraging to see that more than 85% of Scotland’s households have now completed their census and that we have achieved an 85% completion rate in more than three quarters of our local authority areas. However, every single return counts if the census is to be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services.

“If you haven’t yet completed your census, please join the thousands of people that are filling it in every day and do so before the end of May, to avoid the risk of prosecution.”

Help is available online at census.gov.scot, or by calling the free helpline on 0800 030 8308 if you have specific questions or need a paper questionnaire. Field teams have undertaken more than 1.5 million visits to households, and are carrying out community events across Scotland to support census completion.

The 2022 census will benefit Scotland for many years; it asks questions on a range of topics, including the types of accommodation people stay in, household relationships, age, sex, health and employment status. New questions for the 2022 census include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

Householders have just one week left to complete Scotland’s Census 2022.

Over four out of five households (84.8%) across the country have already fulfilled their legal responsibility and filled in the census online or on paper.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:

“Thank you to the more than 2.2 million households who have already filled in their census and made sure that they are counted.

“Time is running out for the remaining households to ensure they’re included in the big decisions which are taken on public services like schools, hospitals, housing and public transport. Don’t delay any further, get it done today.”

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland, said:

“There is only one week to fill in your census and avoid the risk of a fine of up to £1,000.

“If you need help get in touch by phone or on our website. Support is there if you need it.

“I’m most grateful to the groups who are working with us to support the communities they serve to complete the census.

“If you see us out and about in your community and you haven’t yet filled in the census take that opportunity to get it done.”

The website is census.gov.scot and the helpline number is 0800 030 8308.

The first of Scotland’s 32 Local Authority areas have achieved a 90% return rate for the census – and more than half have now reached 85%, National Records of Scotland (NRS) confirmed today.

Aberdeenshire and the Western Isles have both now exceeded 90% and a total of 19 council areas have reached 85% as the Census enters its final full week. The national completion rate stands at 2,210,265 households, with more than four in every five households having completed across 30 areas.

Census returns must be submitted by the end of May; failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:

“Thousands of households are continuing to submit their returns before the deadline. It’s great that we are seeing this increase in census response rates right across Scotland, but it is vital that we secure as high a rate as possible so that the census can be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services. Census data informs how and where public money is spent on vital services, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.

“I would urge everyone who has not completed their census to do so immediately and before the end of May, to avoid the risk of prosecution. Our field teams are out each day visiting those addresses across Scotland where we know we have not received a return and offering to fill in your census return there and then, supporting those who still need help.”

Help is available online at census.gov.scot, or by calling the free helpline on 0800 030 8308 if you have specific questions or need a paper questionnaire. Field teams have undertaken more than 1.4 million visits to households to support completion, and are carrying out community events across Scotland throughout the coming week to support census completion.

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive, NRS added: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone across Scotland who has already done their bit and completed their return. We are making good progress but we need more in our communities to step forward and complete, to help achieve the important and long lasting benefits of the census. Census data informs how and where public money is spent and where services are delivered in our local communities; these decisions rely on good census information.”

The 2022 census will benefit Scotland for many years; it asks questions on a range of topics, including the types of accommodation people stay in, household relationships, age, sex, health and employment status. New questions for the 2022 census include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.