Vital Events Reference Tables 2003

Section 1: Summary

Age standardisation

A straight comparison of crude rates between areas may present a misleading picture because of differences in the sex and age structure of the respective populations. The technique of standardisation has been used in certain tables to remedy this. In general, standardisation involves a comparison of the actual number of events occurring in an area with the aggregate number expected if the age/sex specific rates in the standard population were applied to the age/sex groups of the observed population. The results have been expressed either as standardised rates (Tables 1.3 and 1.4) or as standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) where the standard rate (for Scotland or the United Kingdom) equals 100 (Tables 1.5 and 1.7).

Note: the population estimates, birth, marriage and death rates and standardised mortality ratios given in the tables in this section have been superseded. They were produced using the original mid-year population estimates for 2002 onwards, which have been superseded by 'rebased' population estimates which take account of the results of the 2011 Census. In most cases, revised versions of these figures (which were produced using the 'rebased' population estimates) can be obtained from:

• Population Estimates
• revised versions of the Vital Events Reference Tables for 2012
• new Births and Deaths Time-Series Tables

More information about the rebasing of the mid-year estimates, and the consequential temporary break in some of the Vital Events statistics series (such as birth rates and death rates) is available from the Births and Deaths Rates: breaks in series circa 2011 section of this website

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Note: On 27 July 2007 the Mid-year population estimates for 2003-2006 were revised for the 6 Council areas of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Moray and Perth & Kinross. However, the statistics in some of the tables on this page are based on the previous unrevised population estimates. Tables 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 have been revised. More details on the 'Revised Mid-year Population Estimates 2003-2006' are available on this website.

Tables