According to current provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of deaths recorded in March 2017 reached 48,615. Compared to February, this figure represents an increase of 889 deaths, and in comparison to March 2016, a decrease of 25 deaths.
With an aim to provide the most current analysis of mortality trends, the ONS also recently released the first of its planned quarterly released on deaths within England. Future issues will relate to the most recent quarter.
When reading the statistics, it’s important to note that registry offices are closed during weekends and moveable public holidays; this impacts the number of registrations made in published months. In turn, this affects the corresponding months in previous years.
During March, the majority of deaths were registered in the South East, with the provisional figure reaching 7,399. This was followed the North West which in March observed 6,427 deaths. In contrast, the least number of deaths registered was in the North East, at a total of 2,544. Second to least was Wales, where 2,981 deaths were registered.
