Key points from article :
Scotland has recorded its lowest number of births since official records began in 1855, marking the third consecutive year of a new record low. According to figures from the National Records of Scotland, 45,067 live births were registered in 2025, almost 700 fewer than in 2024.
The country’s fertility rate also fell to a historic low of 1.23 children per woman, down from 1.24 the previous year. This is well below the replacement level of around 2.1 children per woman, which is generally needed to maintain a population without migration.
Deaths have now exceeded births in Scotland for 11 consecutive years. Despite this, Scotland’s population increased slightly in the year to June 2025, largely because of migration.
The figures also showed changes in other areas. Stillbirths increased from 159 in 2024 to 188 in 2025, while the infant death rate fell from 3.5 to 3.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Adoptions declined from 369 to 340.
Meanwhile, marriages and civil partnerships increased. Scotland recorded 27,191 marriages in 2025, 236 more than the previous year, while civil partnerships rose to 944, their highest annual total since 2006.
The continued decline in births highlights Scotland’s changing population. If the trend continues, it could have long-term effects on the workforce, healthcare, education and other public services.
Migration is also likely to play an increasingly important role in maintaining Scotland’s population as the number of births remains historically low.
