In March 2025, an estimated ***** people committed suicide in South Korea, a significant increase from the previous month. South Korea has the highest suicide rate among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

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.

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) in United States was reported at 15.63 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical chart and dataset showing India suicide rate by year from 2000 to 2021.

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.

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) in China was reported at 8.95 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) in Nigeria was reported at 4.99 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Japan suicide rate for 2021 was 17.43, a 1.57% increase from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Japan suicide rate for 2020 was <strong>17.16</strong>, a <strong>4.19% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Japan suicide rate for 2019 was <strong>16.47</strong>, a <strong>2.37% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Japan suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>16.87</strong>, a <strong>1.86% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) in Romania was reported at 9.62 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Romania - Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Download data on suicides in Massachusetts by demographics and year. This page also includes reporting on military & veteran suicide, and suicides during COVID-19.

Mexico suicide rate for 2021 was 6.95, a 9.28% increase from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Mexico suicide rate for 2020 was <strong>6.36</strong>, a <strong>3.41% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Mexico suicide rate for 2019 was <strong>6.15</strong>, a <strong>6.03% increase</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Mexico suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>5.80</strong>, a <strong>2.29% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Norway suicide rate for 2021 was 13.19, a 5.35% increase from 2020.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Norway suicide rate for 2020 was <strong>12.52</strong>, a <strong>0.4% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
<li>Norway suicide rate for 2019 was <strong>12.57</strong>, a <strong>5.84% decline</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Norway suicide rate for 2018 was <strong>13.35</strong>, a <strong>13.62% increase</strong> from 2017.</li>
</ul>Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).

Provisional rate and number of suicide deaths registered in England per quarter. Includes 2001 to 2023 registrations and provisional data for Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) to Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2024. These are official statistics in development.

Historical chart and dataset showing Russia suicide rate by year from 2000 to 2021.

In 2024, Japan reported 16.4 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The country's suicide rate resumed its downward trend after an unexpected surge in recent years, likely connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the reasons behind Japan’s high suicide rates?  While the majority of suicides in Japan stemmed from health reasons, existential concerns and problems directly related to work also accounted for thousands of self-inflicted deaths in the past years. One of the most profound issues faced by employees in Japan leading to self-harm is exhaustion. “Karoshi,” or death by overwork, is a well-known phenomenon in Japanese society. In addition to physical fatigue, karoshi may be precipitated by mental stress resulting from employment. Occupational stress or overwork-induced suicide is referred to as “karojisatsu (overwork suicide)” in Japan. Which demographic groups are affected? Although *************** are frequently depicted as the most at-risk demographic for suicide in Japan, the increasing occurrence of suicides among the elderly people and schoolchildren is causing concern. Bullying, isolation, and the lack of a proficient mental healthcare system can be additional factors contributing to the country’s high suicide rates among all age groups.

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) in Germany was reported at 12.9 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Germany - Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical chart and dataset showing Spain suicide rate by year from 2000 to 2021.

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.