2000 Statistics

Births: 53,076 Deaths: 57,799 Marriages: 30,367 Divorces: 11,143

The General Register Office for Scotland is the Scottish Executive department responsible for the registration of births, marriages, deaths, divorces and adoptions.

Its annual report is an important indicator to changing demographic trends and the figures for 2000 show some notable social changes.

During 2000, the number of births was the lowest ever recorded - just 53,076 compared to 55,147 the previous year.

Nearly half of these births - 47% - were to mothers aged 30 and above and 43% of babies were born outside marriage.

Causes of death

Still births and infant deaths in the first year were the second lowest ever recorded despite respective increases of 12 to 298 and 29 to 305.

Overall, deaths registered in Scotland last year fell by 2,482 to a record low of 57,799.

The two most common causes of death were cancer, 26% and ischaemic heart disease, 22%.

Deaths fell by 2,482 to a record low of 57,799

Although cancer deaths have remained relatively unchanged over the past 10 years deaths from ischaemic heart disease have fallen by over 25%.

Other statistics of note within the report included the fact that, for the period 1998-2000, life expectancy was almost 73 for males and just over 78 for females.

Marriages jumped 427 to 30,367 with the average age for a first marriage being 30.5 for men and 28.6 for women in 2000, compared with 26.8 and 25.1 10 years ago.

The number of couples divorcing last year fell to a 20-year low of 11,143 and the number of adoptions recorded- just 391 - was the lowest since 1931.