Main points from latest release

• In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) for the UK, which adjusts for changes in the population size and age-structure, was 981.2 deaths per 100,000 population.

• In 2018, the ASMR for England was 957.2 deaths per 100,000 population, compared with 1,058.7 in Wales, 1,139.5 in Scotland and 1,012.2 in Northern Ireland.

• The North East was the region of England with the highest ASMRs and London was the lowest, for both males and females.

• The local authority in England with the highest ASMR was Blackpool (1,322.5 deaths per 100,000 population) while the City of London had the lowest (444.9 deaths per 100,000 population).

• In Wales, Blaenau Gwent had the highest ASMR (1,261.7 deaths per 100,000 population) while Monmouthshire had the lowest (852.5 deaths per 100,000 population).

• In Scotland, West Dunbartonshire had the highest ASMR (1,449.6 deaths per 100,000 population) while East Dunbartonshire had the lowest (866.1 deaths per 100,000 population).

• In Northern Ireland, Belfast had the highest ASMR (1,139.7 deaths per 100,000 population) while Lisburn and Castlereagh had the lowest (913.7 deaths per 100,000 population).

• In 2018, the infant mortality rate was highest in Northern Ireland (4.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, followed by England (3.9 deaths per 1,000 live births).

• Infant mortality rates were lowest in Scotland (3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births), followed by Wales (3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births).