Number of marriages down 11% on the same time last year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25348360

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The number of marriages in Scotland is down 11% on the same time last year.

Provisional figures released by the National Records of Scotland show there were 10,310 marriages in the third quarter of 2013 - the lowest third quarter total for at least 40 years.

The number of civil partnerships was also down.

The statistics also show there were 12,223 deaths - 4.2% down on the same period in 2012, and also the lowest third quarter total for 40 years.

Other key findings in the latest births, deaths and other vital events include:

Figures for each NHS board and local authority are available from National Records of Scotland.

In recent years the annual number of deaths has fallen to below 55,000, compared with about 60,000 - 65,000 from the 1940s to the 1990s, and higher numbers before that period.

Tim Ellis, chief executive of the National Records of Scotland, said: "Today's statistics show a fall in the number of deaths registered in Scotland, to the lowest number recorded in the third quarter for at least 40 years.

"However, taking the first three quarters of the year together, there were slightly more deaths than in the same period of 2012.

"The number of births also fell, continuing the trend of gradual decline since 2008. Levels of births and deaths are both relatively low in historical terms and since 2008 there have generally been more births than deaths."