50 alcohol-related deaths in Forth Valley last year

50 people lost their life due to alcohol across the Forth Valley last year.

27 deaths were recorded in Falkirk, with 12 people dying due to alcohol in Clackmannanshire, and 11 deaths logged in Stirling.

The figure is down from the 67 alcohol-related deaths recorded in 2024.

In 2025, there were 1,152 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland, a decrease of 3%.

Alcohol Minister Maree Todd said:

“My heartfelt condolences go to all those who have lost a loved one through alcohol. Despite this small decrease, the number of deaths remains far too high and we must continue to do all we can to reduce them.

“The Scottish Government and its partners are making progress in tackling alcohol harms, but we must do more. That’s why we are providing record levels of funding of over £160 million this year for alcohol and drugs programmes, widening access to treatment and residential services, and improving pathways through detox, crisis care and stabilisation.

“We want everyone who needs help to have access to high-quality, joined-up support and our long-term joint strategic plan puts renewed emphasis on prevention and early intervention, while expanding treatment standards to include alcohol. That is why we will shortly publish a new Alcohol Harm Prevention plan.

“And today I am pleased we are delivering on our Programme for Government commitment to pilot new Alcohol Care Teams in hospitals. Backed initially by £164,000 of Scottish Government funding, and £328,000 next year, the Fife pilot will provide intensive support for people beyond hospital and into the community - strengthening links between services and helping us build the evidence needed to improve alcohol care across Scotland. If successful, our intention is to roll this out in other communities around the country.

“In addition to treatment and support, we are building on the positive impacts of our Minimum Unit Pricing policy which Public Health Scotland estimated in the years it was evaluated has saved hundreds of lives.”

Head of vital events statistics for NRS, Phillipa Haxton, said: “The number of deaths this year is the lowest from 2020 onwards and well below the peak of 2006. However, the rate of deaths is around 1.7 times as high as 1994 when records for this series began.

“The age profile of alcohol-specific deaths has grown older over time. The rate of deaths continues to be highest among people aged 45 to 64 and 65 to 74 but the average age at death has increased from 54 to 60 years since 1979. This remains low compared to all causes of death where the average age of death was 77 in 2025.”