BackgroundIn Europe, men have lower rates of attempted suicide compared to women and at the same time a higher rate of completed suicides, indicating major gender differences in lethality of suicidal behaviour. The aim of this study was to analyse the extent to which these gender differences in lethality can be explained by factors such as choice of more lethal methods or lethality differences within the same suicide method or age. In addition, we explored gender differences in the intentionality of suicide attempts.Methods and FindingsMethods. Design: Epidemiological study using a combination of self-report and official data. Setting: Mental health care services in four European countries: Germany, Hungary, Ireland, and Portugal. Data basis: Completed suicides derived from official statistics for each country (767 acts, 74.4% male) and assessed suicide attempts excluding habitual intentional self-harm (8,175 acts, 43.2% male).Main Outcome Measures and Data Analysis. We collected data on suicidal acts in eight regions of four European countries participating in the EU-funded “OSPI-Europe”-project (www.ospi-europe.com). We calculated method-specific lethality using the number of completed suicides per method * 100 / (number of completed suicides per method + number of attempted suicides per method). We tested gender differences in the distribution of suicidal acts for significance by using the χ2-test for two-by-two tables. We assessed the effect sizes with phi coefficients (φ). We identified predictors of lethality with a binary logistic regression analysis. Poisson regression analysis examined the contribution of choice of methods and method-specific lethality to gender differences in the lethality of suicidal acts.Findings Main ResultsSuicidal acts (fatal and non-fatal) were 3.4 times more lethal in men than in women (lethality 13.91% (regarding 4106 suicidal acts) versus 4.05% (regarding 4836 suicidal acts)), the difference being significant for the methods hanging, jumping, moving objects, sharp objects and poisoning by substances other than drugs. Median age at time of suicidal behaviour (35–44 years) did not differ between males and females. The overall gender difference in lethality of suicidal behaviour was explained by males choosing more lethal suicide methods (odds ratio (OR) = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.65 to 2.50; p < 0.000001) and additionally, but to a lesser degree, by a higher lethality of suicidal acts for males even within the same method (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.32 to 2.02; p = 0.000005). Results of a regression analysis revealed neither age nor country differences were significant predictors for gender differences in the lethality of suicidal acts. The proportion of serious suicide attempts among all non-fatal suicidal acts with known intentionality (NFSAi) was significantly higher in men (57.1%; 1,207 of 2,115 NFSAi) than in women (48.6%; 1,508 of 3,100 NFSAi) (χ2 = 35.74; p < 0.000001).Main limitations of the studyDue to restrictive data security regulations to ensure anonymity in Ireland, specific ages could not be provided because of the relatively low absolute numbers of suicide in the Irish intervention and control region. Therefore, analyses of the interaction between gender and age could only be conducted for three of the four countries. Attempted suicides were assessed for patients presenting to emergency departments or treated in hospitals. An unknown rate of attempted suicides remained undetected. This may have caused an overestimation of the lethality of certain methods. Moreover, the detection of attempted suicides and the registration of completed suicides might have differed across the four countries. Some suicides might be hidden and misclassified as undetermined deaths.ConclusionsMen more often used highly lethal methods in suicidal behaviour, but there was also a higher method-specific lethality which together explained the large gender differences in the lethality of suicidal acts. Gender differences in the lethality of suicidal acts were fairly consistent across all four European countries examined. Males and females did not differ in age at time of suicidal behaviour. Suicide attempts by males were rated as being more serious independent of the method used, with the exceptions of attempted hanging, suggesting gender differences in intentionality associated with suicidal behaviour. These findings contribute to understanding of the spectrum of reasons for gender differences in the lethality of suicidal behaviour and should inform the development of gender specific strategies for suicide prevention.

Number of suicides, suicide rates and median registration delays, by local authority in England and Wales.

Singapore SG: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 13.800 NA in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.100 NA for 2015. Singapore SG: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 13.800 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.200 NA in 2000 and a record low of 12.100 NA in 2015. Singapore SG: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

India IN: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 17.800 NA in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 18.000 NA for 2015. India IN: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 18.000 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.600 NA in 2000 and a record low of 17.700 NA in 2010. India IN: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

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

Indonesia ID: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 4.800 NA in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.800 NA for 2015. Indonesia ID: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 5.100 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.300 NA in 2005 and a record low of 4.800 NA in 2016. Indonesia ID: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Indonesia – Table ID.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

Chad TD: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 10.300 NA in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.200 NA for 2015. Chad TD: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 9.500 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.300 NA in 2016 and a record low of 8.800 NA in 2000. Chad TD: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Chad – Table TD.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

In 2022, around 80 percent of transgender people in the United States had considered suicide, while around 40 percent had attempted suicide. There has been an upward trend in both the considered and attempted suicide rate since 2000, when 61 percent of transgender people considered committing suicide and 28 percent had attempted it.

Nigeria NG: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 9.900 NA in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.700 NA for 2015. Nigeria NG: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 9.300 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.900 NA in 2016 and a record low of 9.000 NA in 2010. Nigeria NG: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

Nepal NP: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 9.700 NA in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.000 NA for 2015. Nepal NP: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 10.700 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.800 NA in 2000 and a record low of 9.700 NA in 2016. Nepal NP: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nepal – Table NP.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

Over 170 thousand deaths due to suicides were recorded in India in 2022. Furthermore, majority of suicides were reported in the state of Tamil Nadu, followed by Rajasthan. The number of suicides that year had increased from the previous year. Some of the causes for suicides in the country were due to professional problems, abuse, violence, family problems, financial loss, sense of isolation and mental disorders.

Depressive disorders and suicide

As of 2015, over 322.48 million people worldwide suffered from some kind of depressive disorder. Furthermore, over 14 percent of the total population in India suffer from different forms of mental disorders as of 2017. There exists a positive correlation between the number of suicide mortality rates and people with select mental disorders as opposed to those without.

Risk factors for mental disorders

Every seventh person in India suffers from some form of mental disorder. Today, depressive disorders are regarded as the leading contributor not only to disease burden and morbidity worldwide, but even suicide if not addressed. In 2022, the leading cause for suicide deaths in India was due to family problems. The second leading cause was due to illness. Some of the risk factors, relative to developing mental disorders including depressive and anxiety disorders, include bullying victimization, poverty, unemployment, childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner violence.

UK armed forces veteran suicide statistics in England and Wales. Including method of suicide, cause of death and suicide rate in male veterans. Annual data. These are official statistics in development.

Russia RU: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 55.900 NA in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 57.800 NA for 2015. Russia RU: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 71.700 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 93.500 NA in 2000 and a record low of 55.900 NA in 2016. Russia RU: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Russian Federation – Table RU.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

Guatemala GT: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 3.700 NA in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.300 NA for 2015. Guatemala GT: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 4.300 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.900 NA in 2000 and a record low of 3.700 NA in 2016. Guatemala GT: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Guatemala – Table GT.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

In 2023, Japan reported 17.6 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The country's suicide rate had shown a steady downwards trend over the past decade but began to rise again in 2020. The unexpected upward trend is likely to be connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.  What are the reasons behind Japan’s high suicide rates?  Historically, Japan’s high suicide rates were closely linked to the economic situation of individuals. While the majority of suicides in Japan stemmed from health reasons, existential worries and problems directly related to work also accounted for thousands of self-inflicted deaths in the past years. The most profound issue faced by employees in Japan leading to self-harm in the past decade has been exhaustion. An increasing pressure of retaining jobs by putting in more hours of overtime, while taking fewer holidays and sick days, were considered the main motivators behind the rising suicide numbers among office workers and employees. Occupational sudden mortality, known as karoshi ("death by overwork") is a well-known phenomenon in Japanese society. Besides physical pressure, mental stress from the workplace can cause karoshi. Suicide due to occupational stress or overwork is called karojisatsu ("overwork suicide") in Japan.  Which demographic groups are affected?  While middle-aged men were frequently portrayed as the highest-risk group for suicide in Japan, suicides among elderly and school children were recurrently picked up by the media. Financial anxiety, bullying, isolation, and the lack of a proficient mental healthcare system were only some factors contributing to the country’s high suicide rates among all age groups.

Armenia AM: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 10.800 NA in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.500 NA for 2015. Armenia AM: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 10.100 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.500 NA in 2015 and a record low of 5.500 NA in 2000. Armenia AM: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Armenia – Table AM.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

Attempted suicide in the past 12 months by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade, California Healthy Kids Survey, 2015-16METADATA:Notes (String): Lists table title, sourceYear (String): Year of surveyCategory (String): Lists the category representing the data: Santa Clara County is for total surveyed population, sex: Male and Female, race/ethnicity: African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino and White (non-Hispanic White only) and grade level (7th, 9th, 11th, or non-traditional).Percent (Numeric): Percentage of middle and high school students who attempted suicide in the past 12 months

Serbia RS: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data was reported at 23.500 NA in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.300 NA for 2015. Serbia RS: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 23.900 NA from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.800 NA in 2000 and a record low of 22.300 NA in 2015. Serbia RS: Suicide Mortality Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Serbia – Table RS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Suicide mortality rate is the number of suicide deaths in a year per 100,000 population. Crude suicide rate (not age-adjusted).; ; World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).; Weighted average;

Provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales, by age, sex, region and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), in the latest weeks for which data are available.

Annual data on number of deaths, age-standardised death rates and median registration delays for local authorities in England and Wales.