During most of October 2025 we did not receive details of death registrations carried out in Shetland. This was due to disruption to processes outwith our control. We have now received and processed these registrations and they are included in the weekly statistics for October, weeks 40-44.
Key points in this week’s update
The provisional total number of deaths registered in Scotland in week 49 of 2025 (1 to 7 December) was 1,252. This is 66, or 5%, lower than the expected number of deaths in week 49.
There were 37 deaths that mentioned influenza on the death certificate, 16 more than in the previous week. Influenza was the underlying cause in 30 of these deaths.
Weekly deaths involving influenza by age group are now published in tables 11 and 12 of the weekly deaths file. Equivalent data for 2000 to 2024 can be found in the file downloads below.
Changes to methodology for excess deaths
The methodology used to calculate excess deaths changed in February 2024. More information on these changes, including figures comparing the old and new methods, can be found on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website.
The ONS recently announced further developments to the methodology used for calculating excess deaths. This will include accounting for public holidays, refining age groups, better reflecting uncertainty, and more detailed breakdowns of excess deaths. Further information on these planned developments can be found in this blog from the ONS.
