This statistical report details information on the number of deaths that were registered in Scotland in 2021 which are classified as alcohol-specific. It also includes breakdowns by sex, age, cause of death and deprivation.

Alcohol-specific deaths have generally risen since 2012. Before this point, deaths fells sharply from the peak of 1,417 in 2006 to 968 in 2012. Last year, deaths rose by 5% or 55 deaths to 1,245.

The rate of alcohol-specific mortality fell between 2006 and 2012. Since then it has generally risen, but did fall in 2019. Most of the increase since 2019 has come from male deaths.

Alcohol-specific mortality has increased in Scotland's most deprived areas in the last two years. This has increased the disparity between the most and least deprived areas, in terms of alcohol mortality.