A similar number to the previous year (242), the figures show that 78% of those who died were male and 22% female. 

Around half of those who died were under 45 years old with the most common age group for males and females between 35 and 44.

Phillipa Haxton, head of vital events statistics for NRS, said: “We estimate 231 people died while they were in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough in 2024. This is similar to the estimate of 242 for the year before and not a statistically significant fall. It’s also about 40% higher than 2017, when these figures were first calculated. 

“Deaths of people going through homelessness occur at younger ages than those in the population generally. They are also more likely to be from external causes which includes drug related deaths, accidents, suicide and assaults. External causes account for 10% of deaths in all people aged 15 to 74 but half of deaths among those who were homeless when they died.”

The rate of deaths whilst experiencing homelessness varies across Scotland. The City of Edinburgh council area had the highest rate in 2024. 

Maeve McGoldrick, head of policy and communications at Crisis Scotland, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that 231 people died in Scotland in 2024 waiting for a home.

“Levels of homelessness, and rough sleeping in particular, have risen since the pandemic to alarming highs. We had hoped to see a significant decrease but it’s shocking that progress has stalled and the number of deaths in 2024 was almost the same as the previous year.

“Once again we see in these figures the terrible toll homelessness takes on the young. Around half of the deaths were among people under 45. Seventy eight per cent of those dying are men, many of whom will be single and often struggle to access the necessary wraparound support. We need to make sure every person gets the help they need, as early as possible. The Scottish Government needs to redouble its efforts to end all forms of homelessness.

“Homelessness is traumatic. Living in temporary accommodation where you don’t feel safe, or sleeping in a freezing car, or moving between the homes of friends and acquaintances just to have a roof over your head, takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health. A laser focus on ending all forms of homelessness is needed to drive down these numbers.

“We know what’s required and that’s why we are calling on all political parties to commit to ending homelessness by 2040 in their upcoming manifestos. This means building more truly affordable homes in the places that need them the most, giving wraparound help to people much earlier on, ideally before they become homeless, and being more strategic and impactful with how money is spent – making sure that it reduces homelessness across Scotland.

“These deaths are not inevitable. We know how to end homelessness for good – we just need the political will to make this happen.”