Scotland's birth rate has been increasing in recent years

Provisional figures suggested that more than 54,000 babies were born in 2005, a rise of 420 births - or less than 1% - on the previous year.

The number of deaths declined slightly in 2005, with a drop in the incidence of strokes and heart disease, two of Scotland's top three causes of death.

There was also a 4% fall in the number of both marriages and divorces.

The increase in births lower than the increase of almost 3% between 2003 and 2004.

'Recent upturn'

Duncan Macniven, the registrar general for Scotland, said: "The recent upturn in the birth rate is encouraging but it may be easing off."

There were over 55,000 deaths last year, 440 less than in 2004.

Cancer was the cause of 27% of deaths, 18% were a result of heart disease and strokes caused about 10% of deaths.

Those conditions remained the three biggest causes of death.

Mr Macniven said: "Compared with 2004, the number of deaths from coronary heart disease fell by 4%.

"The number caused by strokes fell by 6%."