People born in rural areas are likely to live longer than those born in cities, new figures suggest.
A report from the Registrar General for Scotland found that the life expectancy for males born in remote rural areas is 79.5 years, 3.5 years longer than those born in large urban areas.
Female life expectancy was also highest in remote rural areas, at 82.7 years - 2.1 years longer than large urban areas, where life expectancy is at its lowest.
The report, based on statistics covering 2012-2014, provides further detail on estimates published in August which showed that life expectancy is now 77.1 years for men and 81.1 years for women in Scotland.
Although life expectancy has continued to rise across the country, there is still a wide variation between different council areas, with Glasgow city the lowest for men at 73.4, and West Dunbartonshire the lowest for women at 78.7.
East Dunbartonshire had the highest life expectancy at 80.7 years for men and 83.9 years for women.
Scottish men and women still have the lowest life expectancy at birth in the UK, with male life expectancy two years lower than the UK average and female life expectancy 1.7 years lower.
Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: "It is encouraging to see that life expectancy in Scotland continues to improve. We are also pleased to note that the gap between male and female life expectancy continues to narrow.
"We also recognise that these statistics demonstrate the deeply ingrained health inequalities which continue to persist.
"The problem cannot be solved with health solutions alone, as other factors such as entrenched problems of poverty, educational under-attainment, unemployment and poor mental wellbeing also play a significant role in health inequalities."
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