Scotland's Child Death Rate Highest in UK, Report Finds

Scotland has the highest child death rate per capita among the UK's home nations, according to a report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). The study found 10.1 deaths per 100,000 children aged one to 15 in Scotland in 2024, a figure higher than in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Medics warn that the current state of the health service risks creating one of the "unhealthiest generations" in decades. The report, titled the State of Child Health 2026, examined 12 key child health indicators, including oral health, obesity, mental health, asthma, substance misuse, injuries, vaping, and smoking.

Nearly a quarter of four-to-five-year-olds in Scotland were found to be overweight or living with obesity. Additionally, over a quarter of five-year-olds exhibited obvious tooth decay, a statistic that has shown no improvement since 2020. The prevalence of tooth decay was significantly higher in the most deprived areas, affecting 40 percent of five-year-olds compared to 16 percent in the least deprived areas.

Vaccination rates are also a considerable concern, with very few routine childhood immunizations meeting the recommended 95 percent uptake target. The report cautions that without immediate intervention, Scotland faces the prospect of raising a generation with lifelong health problems, poorer educational outcomes, and entrenched inequalities.

"Too many children and young people in Scotland are being let down," stated Dr. Lynn Macleod, RCPCH officer for Scotland. Political opposition figures criticized the government's priorities, with Scottish Tory education spokesman Meghan Gallacher suggesting that focus on initiatives like the "Baby Box" has overshadowed essential support and care for children.

The report also highlighted disparities in early childhood development, with two-year-olds in the most deprived areas being 14.8 percentage points more likely to have a developmental concern than those in the least deprived areas.

Substance misuse is an emerging issue among older children. Between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 periods, cannabis use among 15-year-olds increased from 14 percent to 16 percent for girls and from 20 percent to 23 percent for boys.

Mental health services are also strained, with 4,791 young people waiting to start mental health treatment at the end of March 2026, an 18 percent increase from the previous quarter. Nicola Killean, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, noted that these services are "not there when children need them."

Scottish Health Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged the long waiting times for care and procedures, stating that efforts are underway to reduce them and ensure children and young people receive timely treatment. The report underscores a critical juncture for child health in Scotland, necessitating urgent and comprehensive action to address systemic issues and improve outcomes for the nation's youth.