Highland alcohol-specific deaths rise by 17% despite national decrease
ALCOHOL-specific deaths in the Highlands have risen by 17 per cent, according to new statistics.
As outlined by the National Records of Scotland covering alcohol-specific deaths, Scotland saw a 7 per cent decrease in registered alcohol-specific deaths in 2024 compared to 2023.
However, the Highlands saw an increase in alcohol-specific deaths for this same period — rising from 53 deaths, to 62.
These figures kept the Highlands as the Scottish council area with the 6th highest alcohol-specific death rates, with the likes of Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire ranking highest on the list.
The new statistics also revealed an increase in an age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 of alcohol-specific deaths in remote rural areas, rising from 13.7 to 15.3 between 2023 and 2024. Accessible small towns also saw a slight increase for this category, rising from 19.6 to 19.7.
However, this category also saw a significant drop for remote small towns, decreasing from 28.7 to 21.3.
In comparison to the rest of the UK, the age standardised mortality rate per 100,000 in Scotland remains the highest among UK constituent countries.
To read the full report, visit: www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-specific-deaths-2024/