Births
type: Dataset
theme: Population
timeliness: This dataset will be updated annually, typically in late summer or early autumn.
validity: Not assessed
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.
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)
uniqueness: Not assessed
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/#)
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).
update frequency: annual
license id: uk-ogl
confidentiality: This dataset does not contain any sensitive or personal information.
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)
geographical coverage: S01
geographical coverage: S02
geographical coverage: S03
geographical coverage: S08
geographical coverage: S12
geographical coverage: S13
geographical coverage: S16
geographical coverage: S92
will be updated: false
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  start date: 1999
  end date: 2024
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/#)
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.
issued: 2026-08-20T14:31:43.505382
modified: 2026-08-25T09:56:45.368511
contact point: Organization
contact point: Kind

Population
type: Concept

National Records of Scotland
type: Agent

births.csv
type: Distribution
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: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Gender
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Time Period
  type: text
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    name: GeographyCode
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: GeographyName
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: GeographyType
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: DateCode
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Measurement
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Units
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Value
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Gender
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Time Period
    datatype: text
description: Data file for Births
format: CSV
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/7e0f14fe-5daa-4d9e-b465-73e273042ee5/download
issued: 2026-08-20T14:36:55.975929
modified: 2026-08-25T09:56:45.372747