Scotland's baby boom is continuing with the birth rate increasing at its highest level for a decade.

Official figures released yesterday showed that between April and June this year 14,877 babies were born. That was an increase of 4.3% and means births have outstripped deaths for the fifth successive quarter.

The General Register Office of births, deaths and marriage statistics revealed births have been rising steadily in the second quarter of the year since 2002, when the number of newborn Scots was 12,625.

The number of births to unmarried parents also increased for the sixth year in a row. Almost half (7257) were to unmarried parents, a rise of 5.4%, the biggest rise since 2002. Babies born to unmarried parents have been increasing since 2002, when the number was 5430.

The figures boost Scotland's population, with births again outnumbering deaths. There were 13,492 deaths in Scotland over the period, a slight increase from the previous year when 13,399 died.

In urban areas, the birth rate was generally higher than in rural parts of Scotland. Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen, East and West Lothian all recorded rates of more than 12 per 1000 of the population, while in Argyll and Bute, South Ayrshire and Perth and Kinross the rate was nine or below.

Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland, said the latest report showed the pattern of consistent rises.

He said: "Nearly 15,000 births were registered in April, May and June, continuing the recent increase in the birth rate. Indeed, the number was the highest in the second quarter for 11 years.

"Taking the first two quarters together, there were around 1500 more births in the first half of 2008 than in the same period of 2007. The second quarter of 2008 saw fewer marriages and slightly more deaths than in the same period last year."

Heart disease and cancer remain the most common killers, accounting for 8097 of a total of the 13,492 deaths.

The biggest cause of death was disease of the circulatory system, with heart disease accounting for more than 2500. Cancers totalled 3759 deaths with the highest number falling into the lung, trachea and bronchus group.

Infant deaths fell to 59 from 76 in 2007, the lowest since 2003. Neo-natal deaths had a similar pattern with 37 fatalities, down from 48 last year, the lowest since 2003.

The figures also showed marriages down for the fourth year in a row. There were 7904 weddings, down from 8723 in 2004. Civil partnerships were also down from 180 last year to 114 in April to June 2008 and 316 the year before. Female civil partnership outnumbered males for the first time, with 61 compared with 53.