The suicide rate among females in the United States is highest for those aged 45 to 64 years and lowest among girls aged 10 to 14 and elderly women 75 and over. Although the suicide rate among women remains over three times lower than that of men, rates of suicide among women have gradually increased over the past couple decades. Suicide among women in the United States In 2021, there were around six suicide deaths per 100,000 women in the United States. In comparison, the rate of suicide among women in the year 2000 was about four per 100,000. Suicide rates among women are by far the highest among American Indians or Alaska Natives and lowest among Hispanic and Black or African American women. Although firearms are involved in the highest share of suicide deaths among both men and women, they account for a much smaller share among women. In 2020, the firearm suicide rate among women was 1.8 per 100,000 population, while the rates of suicide for suffocation and poisoning were 1.7 and 1.5 per 100,000, respectively. Suicidal ideation among women Although not everyone who experiences suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts, will attempt suicide, suicidal thoughts are a risk factor for suicide. In 2022, just over five percent of women in the United States reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. Suicidal thoughts are more common among women than men even though men have much higher rates of death from suicide than women. This is because men are more likely to use more lethal methods of suicide such as firearms. Women who suffer from substance use disorder are significantly more likely to have serious thoughts of suicide than women without substance use disorder.

In 2021, there were around 42.2 deaths from suicide per 100,000 population among males in the U.S. aged 75 years and older. Males aged 75 years and older were more likely to die from suicide than any other age group for both males and females. The suicide death rate for males in general is constantly greater than that for females. Suicide method by gender Not only do suicide rates differ by gender, but the method of suicide varies as well. Suicide by firearm accounts for 56 percent of suicides among males, but only 31 percent of those among females. However, suicide by poisoning accounts for a much larger share of suicides among females than males. In 2019, there were a total of 23,941 firearm suicides and 6,125 poisoning suicides. Substance abuse, mental health, and suicide Those who suffer from substance abuse and certain mental health disorders are at a much greater risk of falling victim to suicide. It’s been found that around 14 percent of those with drug or alcohol dependence or abuse had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, compared to just three percent of those with no such substance dependence of abuse. Similarly, around 3.6 percent of those with a major depressive episode in the past year had attempted suicide, while only 0.2 percent of those without a major depressive episode had done so.

Among men in the United States, those aged 75 years and older have the highest death rate from suicide among all age groups. In 2022, the suicide death rate among men aged 75 years and older was 43.9 per 100,000 population. In comparison, the death rate from suicide among men aged 25 to 44 years was 29.6 per 100,000. Suicide is a significant problem in the United States, with rates increasing over the past decade. Suicide among men In the United States, the suicide rate among men is almost four times higher than that of women. In 2022, the rate of suicide among U.S. men was 23 per 100,000 population, the highest rate recorded over the past 70 years. Firearms account for the vast majority of suicide deaths among men, accounting for around 60 percent of male suicides in 2021. The reasons why U.S. men have higher rates of suicide than women are complex and not fully understood, but may have to do with the more violent means by which men carry out suicide and the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues. Suicide among women Although the suicide rate among women in the U.S. is significantly lower than that of men, the rate of suicide among women has increased over the past couple of decades. Among women, those aged 45 to 64 years have the highest death rates due to suicide, followed by women 25 to 44 years old. Interestingly, the share of women reporting serious thoughts of suicide in the past year is higher than that of men, with around 5.5 percent of U.S. women reporting such thoughts in 2023. Similarly to men, firearms account for most suicide deaths among women, however suffocation and poisoning account for a significant share of suicides among women. In 2021, around 35 percent of suicides among women were carried out by firearms, while suffocation and poisoning each accounted for around 28 percent of suicide deaths.

New Mexico was the state with the highest rate of suicidal death among adolescents in the U.S. in 2023, with around 27.7 deaths per 100,000 adolescents. The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased over recent years. Suicide is more common among men than women with rates among men almost four times higher than among women. Risk factors Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders, as well as substance abuse. In fact, suicidal thoughts, plans to commit suicide, and suicide attempts are all more common among those with drug or alcohol dependence or abuse. In terms of suicides due to a known mental disorder, depression accounts for around 72 percent of all such suicides. Methods Most suicides in the United States are carried out by firearms, however, the most common method of suicide differs from country to country. In 2022, over 27,000 suicides in the United States were conducted by firearms, or just over half of all suicides that year. Firearms are the most common means of suicide among both men and women in the United States, but suicide by poisoning is much more common among women than men.

Since the 1950s, the suicide rate in the United States has been significantly higher among men than women. In 2022, the suicide rate among men was almost four times higher than that of women. However, the rate of suicide for both men and women has increased gradually over the past couple of decades. Facts on suicide in the United States In 2022, the rate of suicide death in the United States was around 14 per 100,000 population. The suicide rate in the U.S. has generally increased since the year 2000, with the highest rates ever recorded in the years 2018 and 2022. In the United States, death rates from suicide are highest among those aged 45 to 64 years and lowest among younger adults aged 15 to 24. The states with the highest rates of suicide are Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming, while New Jersey and Massachusetts have the lowest rates. Suicide among men In 2023, around 4.5 percent of men in the United States reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. Although this rate is lower than that of women, men still have a higher rate of suicide death than women. One reason for this may have to do with the method of suicide. Although firearms account for the largest share of suicide deaths among both men and women, firearms account for almost 60 percent of all suicides among men and just 35 percent among women. Suffocation and poisoning are the other most common methods of suicide among women, with the chances of surviving a suicide attempt from these methods being much higher than surviving an attempt by firearm. The age group with the highest rate of suicide death among men is by far those aged 75 years and over.

South Korea currently has the highest overall suicide rate among OECD countries worldwide. The suicide rate among women in South Korea is significantly higher than that of women in any other country. Nevertheless, suicide is commonly more prevalent among men than women. Suicide in the U.S. The suicide rate in the United States has risen since the year 2000. As of 2021, there were around 14.1 deaths from suicide per 100,000 population. The suicide rate among men in the U.S. is over three times what it is for females, a considerable and troubling difference. The suicide rate among men increases with age, with the highest rates found among men aged 75 years and older. Adolescent suicide Adolescent suicide is always a serious and difficult topic. A recent survey found that around 30 percent of female high school students in the United States had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, compared to 14 percent of male students. On average, there are around 11 suicide deaths among adolescents per 100,000 population in the United States. The states with the highest rates of adolescent suicide include Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.

Men in Japan were more likely to commit suicide than women in Japan. With **** deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, the number of fatalities among men reached approximately ****** in 2024. Why is suicide more prevalent among men in Japan?  Japan's high suicide rates have been closely associated with the economic situation of the individuals. Existential worries and problems directly related to work are one of the main causes of self-inflicted deaths in Japan. Gender-based roles are still relevant in modern-day Japan, with women predominantly taking care of family and housekeeping, and men financially providing for their families. Despite changes in the perception of gender roles lately, it appears that economic pressure is more prevalent among men in Japan. Failure to meet social expectations may result in a higher likelihood of experiencing mental health issues, which may ultimately lead to suicidal ideation. The impact of COVID-19 on female suicides Women were seemingly more affected than men during the coronavirus outbreak in Japan. The reasons were complex. For one, women who were victims of domestic violence were forced to spend more time at home with their abuser. Additionally, industries hit the hardest by the pandemic were those staffed predominantly by women, such as the hospitality, retail, and caregiving sectors. Japan is undergoing a demographic change and rapidly shifting into a solo society, which resulted in more single women supporting themselves. As irregular employment is more common among female than male workers, independent women were more likely to face precarious financial situations. Overall, women in Japan presumably felt the negative effects of the pandemic more severely and in more aspects of their daily lives compared to men.

In England and Wales, the definition of suicide is a death with an underlying cause of intentional self-harm or an injury or poisoning with undetermined intent. In 2022, the age group with the highest rate of suicide was for those aged 50 to 54 years at 15.3 deaths per 100,000. The age groups 45 to 49 years with 14.5 deaths per 100,000 population had the second highest highest rate of suicides in the UK. Gender difference in suicides The suicide rate among men in England and Wales in 2022 was around three times higher than for women, the figures being 16.4 per 100,000 population for men compared to 5.4 for women. Although among both genders the suicide rate increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Mental health in the UK Over 53 thousand people in England were detained under the Mental Health Act in the period 2020/21. Alongside this, there has also been an increase in the number of workers in Great Britain suffering from stress, depression or anxiety. In 2022/23, around 875 thousand workers reported to be suffering from these work-related issues.

In 2021, around 77 percent of suicides among males in the United States were among white males. This statistic depicts the distribution of suicide deaths in the United States in 2021, by race/ethnicity and gender.

In 2024, the 50- to 59-year-old age group had the highest suicide rate in Japan, with **** suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The self-inflicted death rate among young people under 20 years was ***. Japan's recent suicide rates While the country's suicide rate had initially shown a downward trend in the most recent decade, 2020 marked the first year that the suicide numbers rose again. The COVID-19 pandemic likely caused this unexpected upward trend. From a gender perspective, Japanese men were more likely to commit suicide than women. **** deaths per 100,000 male inhabitants were reported in 2024, compared to a female suicide rate of **** in the same year. What are the reasons behind Japan’s high suicide rates?  Many factors are being blamed for the Japan's high suicide rates, including bullying, isolation, and a lack of a proficient mental healthcare system. Among others, financial worries and problems directly related to work have been one of the main reasons for self-inflicted deaths in the past years. Historically, the country's high suicide rates have been closely linked to the economic situation of the individuals. Japan’s suicide numbers peaked in 2009 when the country experienced its worst recession since World War II.

In 2024, over 20,300 people in Japan died of suicide. The overall number of suicides decreased after the unexpected upward trend, likely connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. Why Japanese men are more likely to die by suicide  When looking at suicide numbers by gender, Japanese men are more likely to commit suicide compared to women. Attitudes on traditional gender roles in Japan may have shifted in recent decades, but social change has since been slow. Men are still expected to focus on their careers and provide for the family. Hence, economic slumps are typically reflected in rising suicide figures among men, as failure to fulfill social expectations can lead to mental health issues, which in turn might trigger suicidal thoughts. As an example, the suicide figures increased only for men in 2009 as a result of the global banking crisis. Suicide resulting from work-related issues is also more common among men than among women. Stress and pressure at work pose health risks It has been determined over the past few decades that one of the primary issues facing Japanese workers that leads to self-harm is exhaustion. Occupational sudden mortality, known as "karoshi (death by overwork)" is a well-known phenomenon in Japanese society. Besides physical pressure, mental stress from the employment may cause karoshi. Suicide due to occupational stress or overwork is called "karojisatsu (overwork suicide)" in Japan.

As of 2022, the U.S. states with the highest death rates from suicide were Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming. In Wyoming and Montana, there were around 29 and 28 suicide deaths per 100,000 population, respectively. In comparison, in New Jersey, the state with the lowest suicide death rate, there were only around eight suicide deaths per 100,000 population. Differences in suicide rates by gender In the United States, there is a vast difference in suicide rates between men and women, with rates over 3.5 times higher among men. However, rates of suicide for both men and women have increased over the past couple of decades. Among men, those aged 75 years and older have the highest suicide rates, with around 42 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021. Among women, those aged 45 to 64 years have the highest rates of suicide death with 8.2 deaths per 100,000 population. What is the most common method of suicide? In the United States, the most common method of suicide is with firearms, followed by suffocation and then poisoning. In 2022, there were around 27,032 suicide deaths from firearms in the United States, compared to 12,247 deaths from suffocation and 4,894 from drug poisoning. In 2021, firearms accounted for around 60 percent of suicide deaths among men. In comparison, around 35 percent of deaths from suicide among women were due to firearms, while suffocation and poisoning each accounted for 28 percent of such deaths.

The most common method of suicide among veterans in the United States is by firearm. Although this is true for both men and women who served in the military, suicide by firearm is more common among men, accounting for 75 percent of all suicide deaths. Given the strenuous and stressful nature of military work, and the trauma that can result from combat and serving in the military, mental health is a continuous problem among veterans. Suicide among veterans It is estimated that around 7.6 percent of veterans in the United States aged 18 to 49 have had serious thoughts of suicide, while 1.4 percent have made suicide plans, and .04 percent have attempted suicide. Recent surveys have indicated that veterans are much more likely to report considering taking their own life after joining the military compared to before joining. In 2021, around 44 percent of surveyed veterans stated they considered taking their own life since joining the military, with only nine percent saying they considered doing so before joining. Common mental health problems among veterans Some of the most common health problems reported during military service by veterans and active service military members include sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A survey from 2023 found that around three quarters of veteran and active service respondents who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001, reported experiencing PTSD. Health care for veterans in the United States is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which also provides mental health care. VA mental health professionals are the leading resource used for veterans with a service-connected mental health injury, followed by civilian (non-VA) mental health professionals and vet center counselors.

In 2021, over half of all suicides among males in the U.S. were conducted by the use of firearms. The death rate for suicide in the U.S. for males is consistently higher than that of females. This statistic shows the distribution of deaths from suicide in the United States during 2021, sorted by method of suicide.

Family discord was the most common reason for death by suicide among Japanese students in 2022. Japan reported 411 cases of suicide among students in the academic year 2022 with most cases, around 62 percent, having no clear motive mentioned. Reasons for child suicide in Japan While health and economic issues are the main reasons for suicide among the adult population in Japan, children seem to struggle primarily with interpersonal problems and academic pressure. Negative experiences can trigger impulsive behavior among children and teenagers due to hormonal imbalance during adolescence. Hence, traumatic incidents are more likely to result in suicidal thoughts and acts. Despite alarming suicide numbers in the country, mental illnesses are still very much stigmatized, and the availability of sufficient mental health support systems is limited. Bullying and mental health among Japanese students Only a small share of juvenile suicides was officially attributed to bullying. Since physical and emotional abuse among students has become a growing concern among school authorities and parents alike, it can be assumed that dark figures are much higher. Numbers for both suicide and bullying incidents continue to rise in Japan, prompting the government to enact the so-called anti-bullying legislation, which requires schools to carry out preventive measures to identify bullying at an early stage. Bullying at schools in Japan is often performed in a less apparent way, yet even teasing or social exclusion are likely to take their toll on a young person’s mental health and therefore, might lead to suicidal thoughts.

Family discord was the most common reason for death by suicide among Japanese students in 2022. Japan reported 411 cases of suicide among students in the academic year 2022 with most cases, around 62 percent, having no clear motive mentioned. Reasons for child suicide in Japan While health and economic issues are the main reasons for suicide among the adult population in Japan, children seem to struggle primarily with interpersonal problems and academic pressure. Negative experiences can trigger impulsive behavior among children and teenagers due to hormonal imbalance during adolescence. Hence, traumatic incidents are more likely to result in suicidal thoughts and acts. Despite alarming suicide numbers in the country, mental illnesses are still very much stigmatized, and the availability of sufficient mental health support systems is limited. Bullying and mental health among Japanese students Only a small share of juvenile suicides was officially attributed to bullying. Since physical and emotional abuse among students has become a growing concern among school authorities and parents alike, it can be assumed that dark figures are much higher. Numbers for both suicide and bullying incidents continue to rise in Japan, prompting the government to enact the so-called anti-bullying legislation, which requires schools to carry out preventive measures to identify bullying at an early stage. Bullying at schools in Japan is often performed in a less apparent way, yet even teasing or social exclusion are likely to take their toll on a young person’s mental health and therefore, might lead to suicidal thoughts.

In Canada, the suicide rate among females in 2021 was highest among those aged 50 to 54 years. At that time there were around 6.9 suicide deaths per 100,000 population among females aged 50 to 54 years. This statistic shows the suicide death rate among females in Canada in 2021, by age.

In 2022, more than 5,000 people in South Korea committed suicide due to mental illness. Mental illness, financial problems, and physical illness were the most common reasons for dying by suicide among South Koreans that year. South Korea had the highest suicide rate in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that year. Suicidal thoughts in adolescents and older people In recent years, suicide has been the leading cause of death among young people in South Korea. According to a survey, academic challenges were the most commonly cited reasons for suicidal thoughts among adolescents. Additionally, many older citizens identified loneliness and financial struggles as significant factors contributing to their thoughts of suicide. Suicide prevention Although the government has recognized the problem and has increased the budget for suicide prevention over the years, it has not yet succeeded in resolving the issue. However, public awareness has grown in recent years, and there has been a gradual reduction in the stigma surrounding mental health. If you are having suicidal thoughts or you know someone who is, it is essential to seek help. Many countries have suicide crisis or prevention lines that offer free advice and support in such situations. If you live in the United States, you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by simply calling 988 to receive free and confidential support 24/7. If you live in South Korea, you can call the suicide prevention hotline 109.

During the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 29 to April 25, 2020, girls aged 12-17 years were around 27 percent less likely to visit the emergency department (ED) for suspected suicide attempts compared to the same time interval in 2019. However, during the period February 21 to March 20, 2021, they were 50 percent more likely to have visited the ED for suspected suicide attempt compared to the same time interval in 2019. This statistic portrays the percentage change in mean number of ED visits per week for suspected suicide attempts among U.S. teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021, by gender.

In 2022, the rate of suicides among males was 16.4 per 100,000 population and among females it was 5.4 per 100,000. The rate of suicide has slightly decreased for both genders since the beginning of given time period of the statistic, although recent years has seen an increase again for both men and women. However, the rate of suicide for men has remained significantly higher than for women. Individuals seeking help for mental health issuesIn Great Britain, almost 70 percent have never visited a mental health professional, while eighteen percent consult with one at least once a year. Additionally, almost 60 percent of those with a psychiatric condition do not take any medication to control their condition. Mental health of young peopleThe COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact of the mental health of many people, particularly young people. The share of all adults reporting to having experienced symptoms of depression doubled during the pandemic compared to before. Although for those in the age group 16 to 39 years, depression prevalence tripled. Among young people that had mental health concerns prior to the pandemic, a significant majority of those surveyed reported that their life had become worse due to the impact of the pandemic and subsequent restrictions.