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, 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.

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.

Yemen's Suicide mortality rate, males is 7[Per 100,000 population] which is the 132nd highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, males in Yemen and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Yemen), (Mozambique vs. Nepal vs. Yemen) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Serbia's Suicide mortality rate is 11.4[Per 100,000 population] which is the 51st highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate in Serbia and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Serbia), (Bulgaria vs. Lebanon vs. Serbia) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Maldives's Suicide mortality rate is 2.7[Per 100,000 population] which is the 167th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate in Maldives and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Maldives), (Cape Verde vs. Malta vs. Maldives) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Malta's Suicide mortality rate is 6.1[Per 100,000 population] which is the 109th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate in Malta and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Malta), (Maldives vs. Brunei Darussalam vs. Malta) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Hungary's Suicide mortality rate, males is 25.9[Per 100,000 population] which is the 23rd highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, males in Hungary and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Hungary), (Azerbaijan vs. United Arab Emirates vs. Hungary) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Papua New Guinea's Suicide mortality rate is 3[Per 100,000 population] which is the 160th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate in Papua New Guinea and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Papua New Guinea), (Austria vs. Switzerland vs. Papua New Guinea) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Sierra Leone's Suicide mortality rate is 6.7[Per 100,000 population] which is the 100th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate in Sierra Leone and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Sierra Leone), (Togo vs. Lao People's Democratic Republic vs. Sierra Leone) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Malawi's Suicide mortality rate, males is 9.2[Per 100,000 population] which is the 108th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, males in Malawi and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Malawi), (Chile vs. Kazakhstan vs. Malawi) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

As of 2023, the countries with the highest life expectancy included Switzerland, Japan, and Spain. As of that time, a new-born child in Switzerland could expect to live an average of **** years. Around the world, females consistently have a higher average life expectancy than males, with females in Europe expected to live an average of *** years longer than males on this continent. Increases in life expectancy The overall average life expectancy in OECD countries increased by **** years from 1970 to 2019. The countries that saw the largest increases included Turkey, India, and South Korea. The life expectancy at birth in Turkey increased an astonishing 24.4 years over this period. The countries with the lowest life expectancy worldwide as of 2022 were Chad, Lesotho, and Nigeria, where a newborn could be expected to live an average of ** years. Life expectancy in the U.S. The life expectancy in the United States was ***** years as of 2023. Shockingly, the life expectancy in the United States has decreased in recent years, while it continues to increase in other similarly developed countries. The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing rates of suicide and drug overdose deaths from the opioid epidemic have been cited as reasons for this decrease.

Dominican Republic's Suicide mortality rate, females is 1.8[Per 100,000 population] which is the 146th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, females in Dominican Republic and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Dominican Republic), (South Sudan vs. Greece vs. Dominican Republic) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Zimbabwe's Suicide mortality rate is 14.1[Per 100,000 population] which is the 34th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate in Zimbabwe and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Zimbabwe), (Somalia vs. Guinea vs. Zimbabwe) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Burundi's Suicide mortality rate, females is 3.4[Per 100,000 population] which is the 86th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, females in Burundi and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Burundi), (Tunisia vs. Bolivia, Plurinational State of vs. Burundi) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Burkina Faso's Suicide mortality rate, females is 3.7[Per 100,000 population] which is the 80th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, females in Burkina Faso and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Burkina Faso), (Sri Lanka vs. Mali vs. Burkina Faso) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Sierra Leone's Suicide mortality rate, females is 5.1[Per 100,000 population] which is the 55th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, females in Sierra Leone and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Sierra Leone), (Togo vs. Lao People's Democratic Republic vs. Sierra Leone) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Vanuatu's Suicide mortality rate, females is 7.6[Per 100,000 population] which is the 24th highest in the world ranking. Transition graphs on Suicide mortality rate, females in Vanuatu and comparison bar charts (USA vs. China vs. Japan vs. Vanuatu), (Iceland vs. Barbados vs. Vanuatu) are used for easy understanding. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.