Scotland records highest child mortality rate in UK

A report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) reveals that Scotland recorded the highest child mortality rate in the United Kingdom in 2024. The rate stood at 10.1 deaths per 100,000 children aged one to 15, surpassing England (8.5), Northern Ireland (10), and Wales (6.4).

Medical professionals warned that failing health services and social inequalities risk creating one of the unhealthiest generations of children in decades. The study, titled ‘State of Child Health 2026’, linked higher mortality and poorer health outcomes directly to social and economic disadvantage.

Key health indicators show significant challenges across Scotland, including stagnant or declining trends in oral health, obesity, and vaccine uptake. Approximately 27% of children recorded noticeable tooth decay, a figure that rises to 40% in the most deprived areas. Additionally, nearly one in four children aged four and five are overweight or obese, with those in poorer communities being twice as likely to face this risk. The RCPCH also noted that vaccination rates remain a ‘significant concern,’ as few areas are meeting the 95% uptake target.