Births
type: Dataset
version notes: In February 2019, we updated our methodology for allocating datazones to higher geographies to align with Government Statistical Service Geography Policy. This resulted in revisions to some aggregated figures at Electoral Ward and Scottish Parliament Constituency level.
contact point: Organization
contact point: Kind
theme: Population
description: The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for the organisation and administration of the records of births in Scotland. Data on births for calendar years relate to the date of registration of the event and not the date of occurrence. Data on births between mid points of years are based on date of occurrence and refer to the number of births which occurred between 1 July of the previous year and 30 June of the year specified in the data. Births are counted on the basis of the area of usual residence of the mother if that is in Scotland, otherwise they are counted on the basis of the place of birth. Further information on births statistics, and other vital events, is available on [the NRS website.](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/births-deaths-marriages-and-life-expectancy/#)
issued: 2026-08-20T14:31:43.505382
modified: 2026-08-25T09:56:45.368511
accuracy: The UK Statistics Authority has designated NRS vital events statistics as National Statistics, in line with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics [(available on the UK Statistics Authority website).](https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/code-of-practice/) National Statistics status means that official statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value.
comment: Number of births by gender that were registered in a calendar year, or occurred in a mid-year period (1 July to 30 June).
completeness: Statistical information about births and other vital events is available in alternative formats, such as tables and reports, from [the vital events pages on the NRS website.](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/births-deaths-marriages-and-life-expectancy/#)
confidentiality: This dataset does not contain any sensitive or personal information.
consistency: These figures are on a different basis from the vast majority of NRS published statistics of births, which are based on the calendar year in which the birth was registered. The \"mid-year to mid-year\" basis is used only in connection with population estimates and projections. Details on other data sources for birth statistics are available on [the NRS website.](https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20240926182404/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/births/birth-statistics-on-other-websites)
geographical coverage: S08
geographical coverage: S92
geographical coverage: S16
geographical coverage: S03
geographical coverage: S02
geographical coverage: S01
geographical coverage: S13
geographical coverage: S12
license id: uk-ogl
quality management: Information about the quality management process for births data are available on [the NRS website.](https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20240926181747/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/births/background-information)
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  end date: 2024
  start date: 1999
timeliness: This dataset will be updated annually, typically in late summer or early autumn.
uniqueness: Not assessed
update frequency: annual
validity: Not assessed
will be updated: false

Population
type: Concept

National Records of Scotland
type: Agent

births.csv
type: Distribution
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyType
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyCode
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Value
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Gender
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: DateCode
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Units
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Time Period
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Measurement
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyName
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/7e0f14fe-5daa-4d9e-b465-73e273042ee5/download
description: Data file for Births
format: CSV
issued: 2026-08-20T14:36:55.975929
modified: 2026-08-25T09:56:45.372747
comment: Number of births by gender that were registered in a calendar year, or occurred in a mid-year period (1 July to 30 June).
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Gender
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Time Period
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text