Scots ethnic minorities have lower death rates

Most ethnic minority peoplewhohavecometolivein Scotland have lower death rates than the white Scottish population, according to research.

Analysis led by the University of Edinburgh found that Chinese people have the lowest death rates, followed by those from Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups.

The team said the findings contradicted a perception that immigrants and ethnic minorities are a “burden” on health care services.

They looked at the records of more than four million people who died in Scotland between 2001 and 2013, noting their ethnic group and country of birth.

Researchers found that both males and females in most ethnic minority groups had lower death rates than the white Scottish population.