Scotland’s drink death toll drops to pre-Covid level

Deaths caused by alcohol have dropped back down to a pre-Covid level, the latest figures show.

Specialists suggest it shows that public health policies like minimum unit pricing (MUP) are working.

However, a major social divide remains, with Scots living in the most deprived communities 4.5 times more likely to die from drinking than those in the wealthiest areas.

Maree Todd, the minister for drugs and alcohol policy, said: “While we are making progress on tackling the harms caused by alcohol, we cannot become complacent.”

According to statistics from the National Records of Scotland (NRS), the number of alcohol-specific deaths fell by 7 per cent in 2024, or 1,185 cases. The figure is the lowest registered since 2019 and marks a decrease of 92 from 2023.

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE , chair of the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, welcomed the shift, saying it revealed the impact of MUP, but warned: “Deaths and harm from alcohol are still far too high and there is much more that can be done to tackle this.”

Visiting a project in Glasgow, Todd said MUP – brought in after a long court battle with the whisky industry – has “saved hundreds of lives and is likely to have averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions”. She went on: “Behind every number is a person and my heartfelt condolences go out to those affected by the loss of a loved one through alcohol.

“This is a public health priority and we are continuing to channel our energy towards reducing alcohol harm further. There is still a lot of work to be done to save and improve lives.”

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “It is welcome that there was a decrease in the number of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland last year.

“However, there can be absolutely no room for complacency, with deaths still 14 per cent higher than they were a decade ago, with people in the most deprived parts of Scotland around twice as likely to die as those in the least deprived areas.

“Each death is a tragedy, and the latest figures represent 1,185 lives lost, with families and communities right across the country feeling the impact of those losses.

“Tackling alcohol-specific deaths is not just about spending more money but spending it effectively – including by ensuring rehab facilities are available for those who need it.”