Martin Geissler explores the consequences of a falling birth rate and an increasing older population, and the impact on the health and prosperity of Scotland. In the cycle of life, birth and years of good health are often followed by poor health and death. It’s the job of the National Records of Scotland to track this information so that plans can be made to support the population’s needs, both now and in the future. Scotland is facing several challenges in that regard, with fewer babies being born and people living longer.