THERE were more deaths than births in Renfrewshire last year.

This is according to the National Record of Scotland (NRS) who have published statistics showing that there were 1660 births compared 2183 deaths in the area, a difference of 523.

After three years of excess deaths driven by the pandemic, deaths in Scotland returned to expected levels in 2023, according to new statistics from the NRS.

There were 63,445 deaths registered in 2023, 1 per cent more than in 2022.

Deaths were broadly in line with expected levels using a new methodology which takes into account the growing and aging population.

The latest report from NRS also found that the number of births had fallen to the lowest figure ever, with 45,935 live births being registered in 2023, 2 per cent fewer than in 2022.

The Total Fertility Rate fell to 1.30 from 1.33 in the previous year, and is also at its lowest ever level.

For a population to replace itself, this rate needs to be around 2.1.

There have been more deaths than births registered in Scotland for nine consecutive years.

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The infant death rate rose to 4.0 for every thousand live births. This remains relatively low in historic terms but is the highest rate since 2011.

Phillipa Haxton, head of Vital Events Statistics, said: “The publication of these annual figures for 2023 gives us an opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture.

“We’re seeing the number of excess deaths falling after three years when they were higher due to the impact of the pandemic.

“The number of births has fallen, and the total fertility rate is the lowest ever recorded reflecting the move towards smaller families.”

The analysis also shows excess deaths broken down by age group.

In 2023, deaths were at lower than expected levels in those aged up to 64 and 65 to 79.

Deaths in those aged 80 and over were 1.6 per cent above the expected level.

In terms of marriages, 26,753 were registered in Scotland in 2023, 11 per cent fewer than in 2022 and now at a similar level to that seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of civil partnerships, 719 were registered in 2023, the highest number since 2006 and 82 per cent of these were mixed sex.