• There were 59,440 live births in 1997, slightly more than in 1996, which was the lowest number recorded since civil registration was introduced in 1855. (Table 1B1)

• For only the seventh time since 1855 the number of deaths exceeded the number of births. (Table 1B1)

• There were 316 infant deaths in 1997, the lowest yearly total ever recorded. (Table 1B1)

• The number of divorces in Scotland, 12,222 in 1997, was 86 fewer than in 1996. (Table 1C4)

• Cancer and ischaemic heart disease were each responsible for about a quarter of the deaths in Scotland in 1997. (Table 1D1)

• Deaths from ischaemic heart disease have fallen by 24 per cent over the last ten years. (Table 1D1)