SCOTLAND has recorded the highest number of winter deaths in more than 30 years, according to new figures.
The National Records of Scotland (NRS) said that 24,427 deaths had been registered in Scotland between December 2022 and March 2023.
This is 11% higher than the 2021/22 figures and higher than any other winter period since 1989/90, when 25,497 deaths were recorded.
A report from the NRS published on Tuesday said the numbers suggested “a departure from the long-term downward trend in the number of deaths”.
The NRS also compared the December to March figures against the other two four-month blocks from the year (August to November and April to July).
It found a seasonal increase of 4137 additional deaths in winter, from December to March, compared with the non-winter periods.
The NRS said that while the number of deaths were ordinarily higher in winter, the number had averaged 2800 over the last decade.
Daniel Burns, the NRS head of vital events statistics, said: “Today’s figures show that deaths in winter are at their highest level since 1989/90.
“The longer-term downward trend shows a recent increase in winter deaths, which may be partly driven by Scotland’s ageing population.
“Winter months generally see more deaths than other times of the year, however the seasonal increase in winter mortality fluctuates year on year.
“Older age groups are consistently the most affected by increased mortality in winter. For people aged 85 and over, there were 29% more winter deaths compared to 12% in the under 65 population.”
The cause of death with the largest seasonal increase was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 640 additional deaths. There were 310 additional deaths as a result of Covid-19 during this time, the NRS said.
Since 2019, fewer than 10 deaths per year were directly due to cold weather, for example hypothermia.
