Scottish births at 13-year high

More than 15,000 births were registered in the first quarter of this year

The number of births in Scotland during the first quarter of the year has risen to the highest level in 13 years.

Figures from the registrar general for Scotland show a rise of 6.3% compared with the same period of 2007.

More than 15,000 births were registered, 900 more than in the first quarter of 2007.

There were also more marriages and fewer deaths, although in the first quarter of 2007 the number of marriages was low and deaths, high.

Registrar General for Scotland Duncan Macniven said: "Though we should not make too much of a single quarter, there were around 900 more births in the first quarter of this year than in 2007. Indeed the number was the highest in the first quarter for 13 years."

The provisional figures also show that marriages were up by 108 from 3,333 to 3,441 - but fewer than in 2006 when there were 3,495.

READ IN FULL Births and deaths in Scotland in the first quarter of 2008 [17KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

Ninety-eight civil partnerships - 54 male and 44 female - were registered in the quarter, 14 fewer than the 112 partnerships registered in the first three months of 2007.

There were about 750 fewer deaths with deaths from cancer and stroke falling by 0.2% and 5.0% respectively.

Deaths from coronary heart disease fell by 13.5%, but the report said quarterly figures were more volatile than annual totals which have tended to fall by between 2% and 8% in recent years.