Vital Statistics Outputs Branch
Telephone: +44 (0)1329 444110
Frequency of release: Annually
Geographical coverage: England and Wales
Geographical breakdown: Local Authority and County
In 2011 the age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) for the United Kingdom was 537.6 deaths per 100,000 population. This compares with ASMRs of 522.9 in England, 562.8 in Wales, 640.9 in Scotland and 566.5 in Northern Ireland. These ASMRs are for all causes and cover all ages, they are directly age-standardised to the European Standard Population, which allows comparisons between populations with different age structures and over time.
The North East had the highest ASMR among the regions of England in 2011 with 596.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 2011. The South East had the lowest ASMR with 482.4 deaths per 100,000 population. The local authority in England with the highest ASMR was Manchester (736.9 deaths per 100,000 population) while South Cambridgeshire had the lowest (375.0 deaths per 100,000 population).
In Wales, Blaenau Gwent had the highest ASMR (704.7 deaths per 100,000 population) while Vale of Glamorgan had the lowest (482.2 deaths per 100,000 population).
In Scotland, Glasgow City had the highest ASMR (840.5 deaths per 100,000 population) while East Dunbartonshire had the lowest (498.1 deaths per 100,000 population).
In Northern Ireland, Belfast had the highest ASMR (690.0 deaths per 100,000 population) while Omagh had the lowest (493.1 deaths per 100,000 population).
The substantial variation in mortality rates between different local areas reflects underlying differences in factors such as income deprivation, socio-economic status and health behaviour (for further information see 'Life Expectancy at birth and at age 65 for health areas in the United Kingdom'.)
Infant mortality rates vary among the regions of England and can fluctuate over time. In 2011 the West Midlands had the highest regional infant mortality rate, with 6.0 deaths per 1,000 live births. The South East had the lowest with 3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. The variation between different regions reflects underlying differences in maternal factors such as the mother’s country of birth, socio-economic status, and age (for further information, see Infant Mortality by Social and Biological Factors, 2011). Infant mortality rates for local areas can fluctuate quite substantially between years due to the small number of deaths recorded at these ages.
Presents data on death registrations in the United Kingdom by area of usual residence. The release contains a summary table providing key mortality measures (numbers and rates including age standardised mortality rates) for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries and a table providing numbers of deaths in England and Wales by age and sex.
For information on data quality, legislation and procedures relating to mortality statistics, please see Mortality Metadata (2.7 Mb Pdf) and Mortality Quality and Methodology Information (382.3 Kb Pdf) .
Further ONS releases based on death registrations include:
An interactive mapping tool which enables trends in mortality to be analysed at the local level.
Weekly provisional deaths registered in England and Wales provide provisional counts of deaths registered in England and Wales. Monthly Figures on Deaths Registered by Area of Usual Residence provide provisional monthly counts of mortality data.
The Vital Statistics: Population and Health Reference Tables provide quarterly and annual mortality data for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries. Summary data for death rates, cause of death data by sex and age and death registrations by area of residence can be found in the Deaths registrations summary tables, England and Wales. More detailed death registrations data, including number of deaths and mortality rates by cause of death, can found in Deaths registered in England and Wales (Series DR).
Death registrations by single year of age for the United Kingdom and England and Wales provides a detailed breakdown of the number of deaths by sex and age.
The 20th Century Mortality Files are a record of mortality in England and Wales from 1901 to 2000 while the 21st Century Mortality Files are a record of mortality in England and Wales from 2001 onwards.
Injury and Poisoning mortality, England and Wales presents annual data on deaths from injury and poisoning in England and Wales using a matrix of mechanism by intent developed by the International Collaborative Effort (ICE) on injury statistics.
Excess winter mortality in England and Wales presents provisional figures of excess winter deaths for the latest winter period, and final figures for previous the winter period. Figures are presented by underlying cause, age, sex and region. National trend data are available from 1991/92 onwards.
Deaths involving Clostridium difficile presents mortality rates and details on the number of deaths involving Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) for England and Wales. National trend data are available from 1999 onwards. Deaths involving MRSA provides the number and rate of deaths involving Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for England and Wales. National trend data are provided for 1993 onwards.
Deaths related to drug poisoning contains data on deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales from 1993 onwards, by cause of death, sex, age and substances involved in the death. UK alcohol related deaths presents the latest alcohol-related death figures for the UK, England, Wales, and Regions in England.
UK suicides present suicide numbers and rates in the United Kingdom, England and Wales, and Regions in England.
We welcome feedback on the content, format and relevance of this release. The Health and Life Events (HLED) User Engagement Strategy outlines the divisional approach to user engagement.
These National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.