Revisions and Corrections

Our statistical outputs are sometimes subject to revisions or corrections.

Revisions are generally planned, although there can be occasions when they are unplanned, and are the result of either improvements in statistical methods or the availability of additional data. For example, annual population estimates are revised after a census to take account of the additional information gained from the census results. Details of planned revisions are held within the individual 'About this publication' files alongside each publication.

Corrections are unplanned and occur when errors in either the statistical data or methodology are found after release of the data.

We treat revisions and corrections according to the Scottish Government (SG) Statistician Group Revisions Policy, (available on the SG website), which follows the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Any of our statistical outputs that have recently been revised or corrected will be highlighted on this page and linked to the appropriate section of this website.

Mid-year population estimates – age distribution errors

We have recently identified an error in the Scottish mid-year population estimates for 2002 to 2010 due to an issue with the method of rebasing the population estimates using the 2011 Census results. This affects the age distribution of older age groups which made the 90+ population too small and the population of those aged 81-89 too large. There is no impact on the total population estimates for Scotland other than a very small change in 2006 due to rounding adjustments. This issue does not affect recent population estimates from 2011 to 2017. Work is underway to correct the error and NRS will publish corrected data on 25 September 2018 to coincide with the publication of population estimates of the very old (those aged 90+) including centenarians.

Recent Revisions

15 March 2016	Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2014
22 May 2014	Mid-2002 to Mid-2010 Revised Small Area Population Estimates
21 March 2014	Revised National Life Tables
17 December 2013	Mid-2002 to Mid-2010 Revised Population Estimates Revised migration tables 2002 to 2011 Revised Mid-2011 Small Area Population Estimates
8 August 2013	Revised Mid-2011 Population Estimates
8 March 2012	Revision of the historical series of Divorce figures
17 August 2010	Drug Related Deaths in Scotland in 2008

Recent Corrections

11 June 2020	Projected Population of Scotland (2018-based)
11 December 2019	Life Expectancy for Administrative Areas within Scotland 2016-2018
8 April 2019	Scotland's Population 2017 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends
29 November 2018	Population Estimates Time Series Data
19 October 2018	Mid-2017 Population Estimates Scotland
25 September 2018	Population Pyramids of Scotland
	Population Estimates Time Series Data
	Mid-2017 Population Estimates Scotland
	Vital Events Reference Tables 2017 - Section 6
	Vital Events Reference Tables 2017 - Section 5
	Vital Events Reference Tables 2017 - Section 3
	Vital Events Reference Tables 2017 - Section 1
	Deaths from Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
	Deaths Time Series Data
	Births Time Series Data
	Age-standardised Death Rates Calculated Using the European Standard Population
23 August 2018	Mid-2017 Small Area Population Estimates for 2011 Data Zones
7 August 2018	Mid-year population estimates 2002-10
24 May 2018	Projected Population of Scotland (2016-based)
26 April 2018	Weekly Data on Births and Deaths Registered in Scotland
17 January 2018	Drug related deaths in Scotland 2016
6 November 2017	Population by Country of Birth and Nationality, Scotland, 2016
28 September 2017	Births Time Series Data
28 September 2017	Deaths Time Series Data
7 September 2017	Deaths Time Series Data
25 August 2017	Population by Country of Birth and Nationality, Scotland, 2016
14 March 2017	2016 Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events - Preliminary Annual Figures
15 February 2017	Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2015
15 February 2017	Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2014
13 January 2017	Population Projections for Scottish Areas (2014-based)
11 November 2016	Mid-2015 Small Area Population Estimates for 2011 Data Zones and corrected estimates for mid-2012, mid-2013 and mid-2014
8 September 2016	Household Projections for Scotland’s Strategic Development Plan Areas and National Parks (2012-based)
2 September 2016	Small Area Statistics on Households and Dwellings
26 August 2016	1991 Index of Populated Areas in Scotland
25 August 2016	Corrected Small Area Population Estimates for Mid-2012, Mid-2013 and Mid-2014 (2011 Data Zone based)
10 August 2016	Small Area Statistics on Households and Dwellings
3 August 2016	Vital Events Reference Tables 2014: Section 6: Deaths - Causes (Table 6.13)
26 July 2016	Total Migration to or from an Area
25 July 2016	Vital Events Reference Tables 2014: Section 5 Deaths (Table 5.4)
20 July 2016	Migration Statistics
20 July 2016	Mid-2015 population estimates Scotland and corrected population estimates for mid-2012, mid-2013 and mid-2014
13 May 2016	Council Area Profiles
9 May 2016	Projected Population of Scotland (2014-based)
28 April 2016	Scotland's Population 2014 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends - Infographic
28 April 2016	Mid-2015 population estimates Scotland and corrected population estimates for mid-2012, mid-2013 and mid-2014
20 April 2016	Electoral Statistics - Scotland 1st December 2015
5 February 2016	Local Area Migration
11 December 2015	Mid-2011 to Mid-2014 Small Area Population Estimates Scotland: Detailed Data Zone Tables
27 August 2015	Scotland's Population 2014 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends
20 August 2015	Scotland's Population 2014 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends
8 May 2015	Mid-2014 Population Estimates Scotland
27 January 2015	Population Projections for Scottish Areas (2012-based)
3 November 2014	Local Area Migration
25 September 2014	100 Most Common Surnames
8 July 2014	Life Expectancy at Scotland Level
22 May 2014	Life Expectancy for areas in Scotland 2008-2010
22 April 2014	Scottish Parliamentary Consituency Population Estimates (Table)
31 March 2014	Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events - Quarterly Figures
27 February 2014	Migration Tables Mid-2011 and Mid-2012 Population Estimates Scotland
27 February 2014	Vital Events Reference Tables 2002: Section 5 (Table 5.2)
17 January 2014	2011 Census Reconciliation Report - Households
9 January 2014	Projected Population of Scotland (2012-based)
29 November 2013	Population Projections Scotland (2012-based)
17 October 2013	Scotland's Population 2012 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends
12 September 2013	2001 Data zones: Population and Household Estimates – Comparison between 2001 and 2011 Censuses
28 June and 10 July 2013	Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland 2012
7 December 2012	Postcode Index Scotland
18 October 2012	Births, Deaths and other Vital Events - First Quarter 2012 (Table Q4)
9 August 2012	Scotland's Population 2011 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends
9 August 2012	Mid-2010 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland
21 June 2012	Household Projections for Scotland, 2008-based
14 June 2012	Births, Deaths and other Vital Events - First Quarter 2012 (Table Q6)
6 July 2011	Vital Events Reference Tables 2009 (Births Table 3.10)
4 July 2011	2010 Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events - Preliminary Annual Figures
6 May 2011	Population Estimates Time Series Data
25 March 2011	2010 Births, Deaths and Other Vital Events - Preliminary Annual Figures
25 March 2011	Vital Events Reference Tables 2009 (Deaths - Causes - Table 6.2)
24 February 2011	Electoral Statistics - Scotland 1st December 2010
27 January 2011	2006-based Population Projections for Scottish Areas

Census Revisions and Corrections

Revisions and corrections to 2011 Census data are provided separately on the Scotland's Census website.

Related Organisations Revision Policy

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Revisions Policies section contains details on ONS' policy on revisions.

National Records of Scotland

Preserving the past, Recording the present, Informing the future

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