Scotland’s births, deaths and marriages figures released

More than half the babies born in Scotland last year were to unmarried couples.

According to the preliminary annual figures for births, deaths and other vital events released by the National Records of Scotland yesterday, 50.8% of children were born to unmarried couples.

The figure in 1971 was just 8.1%.

There were 56,725 births and 54,239 deaths the fourth lowest total in 150 years.

Scotland’s population remains at its highest ever level, at 5,327,700 people.

The statistics also show there were 29,070 marriages in the year.

Of those, 367 involved same-sex couples following the introduction of legislation on December 16.

Male couples were involved in 173 marriages, with 194 female couples being wed.

Figures relating to the type of deaths showed 1634 people were killed in accidents including 223 in transport incidents, 716 by falling and 483 poisoned.

Cancer remained the biggest killer, claiming 15,803 lives, down by 0.3%.