Suicide Rates Around the World

[DarkRange55]

Infographic: Suicide Rates Around the World

This chart shows the estimated rate of suicide per 100,000 population in selected countries in 2021.

www.statista.com

 

[voc_89]

South Korea. That one shocked me. Thought it would be Japan

 

[eatantz]

woah why is Lithuania so high?

 

[Alexei_Kirillov]

woah why is Lithuania so high?

Same reason other parts of Eastern Europe are so high, I'm guessing (alcoholism); notice the huge gap between men and women

 

[EvisceratedJester]

South Korea. That one shocked me. Thought it would be Japan

South Korea actually isn't in first place anymore.

According to the World Health Organization, the suicide rate in South Korea is the fourth highest in the world.

Suicide Rate by Country 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

It's still high, but they aren't ranked number 1 anymore.



I think that something that's interesting to note is the gender gap and why it's there. A lot of people tend to forget that suicide rates are measured based on successful suicides, not suicide attempts, and thus think that men are attempting more on average which isn't true.

CDC data demonstrates that men account for over 76% of suicide deaths in the United States each year. The CDC also found that there are 3.3 male suicide deaths for every female suicide death. In contrast, in research studies, women are two to three times more likely to discuss thoughts of suicide than men, and there are approximately three female suicide attempts per every one male suicide attempt.

Gender Paradox of Suicide: Relationship Between Gender & Suicide

The traditional gender paradox of suicide is simple: Men die by suicide more often, but women report thoughts of suicide more than men. Learn more here.

cams-care.com

This gap can potentially be attributed to several reasons, including the lethality of the method used, intent, certain fears towards how the body is found, and fears of death.

For example, men are more likely to own a firearm in places like the US, which is part of why it is a more commonly used suicide method amongst men there in comparison to women.

About six-in-ten gun owners in the United States are male (62%). Still, about one-in-five women (22%) report that they own a gun.

How male and female gun owners in the U.S. compare

While women who own guns resemble male gun owners in some respects, their views on and experiences with guns often differ from those of their male counterparts.

www.pewresearch.org

Along with that, women are more likely to attempt suicide as a cry for help and to communicate distress while men are more likely to do it with the intent of dying.

Spoiler

Acts of DSH by females are more often based on non-suicidal motivation." In females, the appeal function of DSH, whereby DSH is used to communicate distress or to modify the behavior and reactions of other people, seems more common. In males, DSH is more often associated with greater suicidal intent.

Gender Paradox of Suicide: Relationship Between Gender & Suicide

The traditional gender paradox of suicide is simple: Men die by suicide more often, but women report thoughts of suicide more than men. Learn more here.

cams-care.com

Suicide intent data from 5212 participants was included in the analysis. A significant association between suicide intent and gender was found, where 'Serious Suicide Attempts' (SSA) were rated significantly more frequently in males than females (p < .001). There was a statistically significant gender difference in intent and age groups (p < .001) and between countries (p < .001). Furthermore, within the most utilised method, intentional drug overdose, 'Serious Suicide Attempt' (SSA) was rated significantly more often for males than females (p < .005).

https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-017-1398-8

It is important to note that I'm not saying this to invalidate suicidal women who plan on ctbing with the intent of dying. I am a woman who has attempted to ctb before with the intent of dying. Along with that, the study from the bmc did find that in countries like Germany and Hungary there was no significance difference in gender when it came to serious suicidal attempts and suicidal gestures, meaning that this isn't something that even applies everywhere.

I also want to note that while women, on average, might be more likely to use suicide as a call for help it is important to note that suicidal ideation is more common in women on average. I highlight this because I know that there are a lot of sexist people out there who will be very quick to use this particular point to further their misogynistic views and invalidate suicidality and suffering amongst women. If somebody is at the point where they feel the need to harm themself as a cry of distress then their suffering is valid. Even if women are less likely to engage in a SSA, that doesn't mean that there aren't men out there that also attempt suicide as more of a cry for help rather than because they want to die. I shouldn't have to say any of this, but the internet is the internet and there are some pretty fucked up misogynistic assholes on here.

Women on average also fear death more in comparison to men, which also likely plays a role in why women may opt for less lethal suicide methods. A gun is near guaranteed to kill you but something like an overdose isn't. Anxieties surrounding death could potentially end up leading to them using suicide methods that are less lethal due to the view that it there is a better chance of them being able to turn back if their fear of death gets to them.

Spoiler

Findings of study indicated significant gender differences only on the levels of life death anxiety; women had more death anxiety than men. Moreover, significant inverse relationship between life satisfaction and death anxiety was also found.

Gender Differences, Life Satisfaction, its Correlate and Death Anxiety in Retirement

This two fold research was envisioned to explore life satisfaction, its correlates and death anxiety in retirees as well as gender difference in the levels of life satisfaction and death anxiety. The authors carried out correlational research of 111 retirees (56-70 years). The Satisfaction with...

medcraveonline.com

Something that's also interesting to note is the potential differences in how women and men think about the state of their bodies after suicide. It should be noted that I can't find any studies on it, so I'm not sure as to whether or not this actually applies irl, so keep that in mind. Women might be more likely to take into consideration the reaction that some may have when their body is found in comparison to men which may stem from two reasons:

1. Women are expected to be beautiful, even in death.

2. Women are more likely to consider how those around them may react to finding their body

The beauty standards for women are extreme to such a point where they are near impossible to reach. While men also have to deal with increasingly high beauty standards, there is a much heavier emphasis put on women needing to be beautiful. This can make it so that women may feel pressured to try remain aestheticly pleasing to look at, even in death. We can see this on here, where there have been cases of women making threads asking about ways to die that will allow them to still look beautiful. A women must be beautiful and ethereal, even in death. Hence why you have people obsessing over the picture of the "world's most beautiful suicide". I have some doubts that the picture would have gain the same amount of sick admiration and attention if it were a man because beauty is something that tends to be valued more in women. There is a pressure on us to always look our best no matter what, even in death.


The second reason might be because of how women are socialized from a young age to focus more on how others feel. We are expected to sacrifice our own wellbeing for everyone. A good woman is one who sacrifices their wellbeing in the servitude of others. From your children to your husband, you are expected to live for others rather than for yourself. That's part of why there has been such a big backlash as of late, as the expectations in things like relationships are starting to even out more and as more women opt for being single and enjoying their life instead.

This type of mentality that we've been raised with might lead to us being more likely on average to consider how the state of our dead body might impact anyone who comes across it, leading to women opting for less gory and violent suicide methods in order to avoid causing anymore trauma.


Now, lastly, I would like to point out the fact that the gender gap has been decreasing amongst younger generations.

While this adage is still true, the U.S. has seen an increase in suicide over the past couple of decades – particularly among women. The age-adjusted suicide rate among women rose 53 percent between 1999 and 2017 compared to a 26 percent increase among men during the same period.

The Gender Gap in Suicide Rates is Narrowing in the United States | AcademyHealth

academyhealth.org

This can potentially be explained rates of anxiety and depression increasing in young women and girls, along with an increase in the use of more lethal suicide methods:

The data couldn't tease out why rates are rising more swiftly for girls than boys. But an uptick in depression and anxiety diagnoses among girls and young women has been well documented, and these mental health conditions are risk factors for suicidal behavior. The new study also found that girls are increasingly using more lethal means of suicide, such as hanging and suffocation.

The Gap Between Male and Female Youth Suicide Rates Is Narrowing, Study Says

Rates are increasing faster among girls

time.com

 

[Minsu]

My country is on the top but yeah, I know pretty many women from Korea who committed suicide.. maybe there's something in our dna that makes us being more prone to be suicidal?

 

[qw3rty259]

Something that's also interesting to note is the potential differences in how women and men think about the state of their bodies after suicide. It should be noted that I can't find any studies on it, so I'm not sure as to whether or not this actually applies irl, so keep that in mind. Women might be more likely to take into consideration the reaction that some may have when their body is found in comparison to men which may stem from two reasons:

1. Women are expected to be beautiful, even in death.

2. Women are more likely to consider how those around them may react to finding their body

The beauty standards for women are extreme to such a point where they are near impossible to reach. While men also have to deal with increasingly high beauty standards, there is a much heavier emphasis put on women needing to be beautiful. This can make it so that women may feel pressured to try remain aestheticly pleasing to look at, even in death. We can see this on here, where there have been cases of women making threads asking about ways to die that will allow them to still look beautiful. A women must be beautiful and ethereal, even in death. Hence why you have people obsessing over the picture of the "world's most beautiful suicide". I have some doubts that the picture would have gain the same amount of sick admiration and attention if it were a man because beauty is something that tends to be valued more in women. There is a pressure on us to always look our best no matter what, even in death.

Lmao, that's sensational, beauty standards save lives...
We should oblige men to look beautiful then to make them care about the beauty of their corpses more to decrease suicide rates among them

The second reason might be because of how women are socialized from a young age to focus more on how others feel. We are expected to sacrifice our own wellbeing for everyone. A good woman is one who sacrifices their wellbeing in the servitude of others. From your children to your husband, you are expected to live for others rather than for yourself. That's part of why there has been such a big backlash as of late, as the expectations in things like relationships are starting to even out more and as more women opt for being single and enjoying their life instead.

You are trying to pull the blanket to the women's side so badly. Wellbeing? Servitude of others? I don't know what you're trying to proof since men are literally expected to sacrifice their own lives in wars for everyone. And there are tons of usual expectations for men too. Every sex has its own problems. I'm not trying to invalidate female suicidality but it seems as you if you wished that statistics were way higher for them or something.

Aside from mentions of actual studies your takes are laughable.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Lmao, that's sensational, beauty standards save lives...
We should oblige men to look beautiful then to make them care about the beauty of their corpses more to decrease suicide rates among them

You are trying to pull the blanket to the women's side so badly. Wellbeing? Servitude of others? I don't know what you're trying to proof since men are literally expected to sacrifice their own lives in wars for everyone. And there are tons of usual expectations for men too. Every sex has its own problems. I'm not trying to invalidate female suicidality but it seems as you if you wished that statistics were way higher for them or something.

Aside from mentions of actual studies your takes are laughable.

What blanket statements? It's well-known that things like servitude are something that society tries to ingrain in women. Hence why we talk about it so much. I'm not trying to prove anything, as a I explicitly stated before

Something that's also interesting to note is the potential differences in how women and men think about the state of their bodies after suicide. It should be noted that I can't find any studies on it, so I'm not sure as to whether or not this actually applies irl, so keep that in mind.

I made it pretty clear that this is just a theory of mines, not something I am trying to state as fact. Also, when did I imply that men don't have their own issues? You are giving off the vibes of those men randomly mention that "men get raped too" whenever a woman opens up about her experiences with SA.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Interesting that that table doesn't mention Lesotho where the suicide rate is very high and unusually- higher amongst women. Although, not surprising seeing as the rates of sexual assault are also sky high.

I do actually find it surprising that there is such a gender gap. Especially with things like SN around.

 

[Ironborn]

I'm surprised the UK is that low, probably because you need a bloody licence for everything in this shit hole.
You'll need one to buy cutlery before long.

 

[qw3rty259]

What blanket statements?

I didn't say anything about blanket statements... It's an idiom, looks like there is no such in English. My bad. It means that you're sort of trying to emphasize the one side of a problem forgetting about the other. I didn't deny your statement about female expectations.

Also, when did I imply that men don't have their own issues? You are giving off the vibes of those men randomly mention that "men get raped too" whenever a woman opens up about her experiences with SA.

Well, maybe it's just because I'm not frequent visitor on forums so your comment made impression on me like it's strongly leaning on the women's side out of nowhere. I mean, noone had said anything misogynistic prior to this. But maybe you had seen such comments before so then I can understand where it comes from.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

I didn't say anything about blanket statements... It's an idiom, looks like there is no such in English. My bad. It means that you're sort of trying to emphasize the one side of a problem forgetting about the other. I didn't deny your statement about female expectations.

Well, maybe it's just because I'm not frequent visitor on forums so your comment made impression on me like it's strongly leaning on the women's side. I mean, noone had said anything misogynistic prior to this. But maybe you had seen such comments before so then I can understand where it comes from.

You are getting so worked up and I don't know why. How am I "strongly leaning on women's side" by offering up my own theory as to why the gender gap in suicide exists? Please don't ever pm me again.

 

[Onelegman]

I am sure that many, or all, countries do not give the true numbers on suicides. They must maintain an international image even in something like this. 1984 is 2 steps away

 

[qw3rty259]

You are getting so worked up and I don't know why. How am I "strongly leaning on women's side" by offering up my own theory as to why the gender gap in suicide exists? Please don't ever pm me again.

Because maybe you should also consider to look at reasons why males do it so often instead of solely wondering why women don't succeed at it to explain the gap.
It's ridiculous that it's more rational to you to bring up bizarre theories about beauty standards and the corpses' looks... (They're also sexist btw)

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Because maybe you should also consider to look at reasons why males do it so often instead of solely wondering why women doesn't succeed at it to explain the gap.
It's ridiculous that it's more rational to you to bring up bizarre theories about beauty standards and the courses' looks... (They're also sexist btw)

Men have a higher suicide rate because they choose more violent methods but women attempt more. I even mentioned it in the post. While there is importance in discussing men's mental health, at the same time, a lot of people already talk about that aspect of the gap. I'm just more interested in why women attempt more yet fail more often. Again, this is giving "what about men" whenever women talk about anything pertaining to their own experiences or issues vibes. You seem to just be pushing your weird victim complex onto me for the crime of discussing why it is that women attempt more yet men succeed more when it comes to suicide. If you want to discuss shit revolving around men and suicide then go ahead, why the fuck are getting pissed at me for? You're crying sexism for no reason.

 

[qw3rty259]

While there is importance in discussing men's mental health, at the same time, a lot of people already talk about that aspect of the gap.

I'm just more interested in why women attempt more yet fail more often.

Well, that at least would be worth mentioning in the initial comment.

Again, this is giving "what about men" whenever women talk about anything pertaining to their own experiences or issues vibes.

I've only brought up "expectations about men" because you had tried to explain the gap by expectations about females as if men are free of it. Men have them too, but it doesn't help them to unalive themselves less often.
Moreover, that's just weird to complain about expectations or something but to state that it's what stops females from suicide... Then maybe we should apply those expectations to men too, huh

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Well, that at least would be worth mentioning in the initial comment.

I've only brought up "expectations about men" because you had tried to explain the gap by expectations about females as if men are free of it. Men have them too, but it doesn't help them to unalive themselves less often.
Moreover, that's just weird to complain about expectations or something but to state that it's what stops females from suicide... Again maybe we should apply those expectations to men too, huh

Why do I have to mention that when the only person getting offended here is you. Nobody else had a problem with that post besides you. When did I imply that men were free from expectations? All you are doing is looking for excuses to get upset at this point. Can I not talk about gender expectations for women without mentioning men?

 

[qw3rty259]

When did I imply that men were free from expectations?

I didn't tell you that you imply that. I tell you that men have them too, but it doesn't help them to unalive themselves less often. Basically, i say that it's just weird to complain about female expectations or something but then proceed to state that it's the same thing what stops them from suicide... Then maybe we should apply those expectations to men too

Can I not talk about gender expectations for women without mentioning men?

Of course, but the OP's post is about suicide rate and you're trying to explain the gender gap by your theories, and I critique them.

Why do I have to mention that when the only person getting offended here is you.

Eh, okay, whatever. When trying to explain the difference in suicide rates, it IS worth mentioning imo, otherwise, as I've already said, you're just covering the one side of the story without telling that there are other possible reasons from the other side and whether they matter at all

 

[EvisceratedJester]

I didn't tell you that you imply that. I tell you that men have them too, but it doesn't help them to unalive themselves less often. Basically, i say that it's just weird to complain about female expectations or something but then proceed to state that it's the same thing what stops them from suicide... Then maybe we should apply those expectations to men too


Of course, but the OG's post is about suicide rate and you're trying to explain the gender gap by your theories, and I critique them.

Eh, okay, whatever. When trying to explain the difference in suicide rates, it IS worth mentioning imo, otherwise, as I've already said, you just covering the one side of the story

Dude, I'm not going bother responding to you anymore. This entire conversation can just be summed as you getting offended for no reason.

 

[qw3rty259]

Dude, I'm not going bother responding to you anymore. This entire conversation can just be summed as you getting offended for no reason.

Lmao, I'm not

 

[Cinnamorolls]

It's interesting to me that people in first-world countries seem to kill themselves way more than those in third-world countries. You would think that people in exploited, less-developed countries would be more miserable, but apparently they are happier?

 

[fkyou]

Well, that at least would be worth mentioning in the initial comment.

I've only brought up "expectations about men" because you had tried to explain the gap by expectations about females as if men are free of it. Men have them too, but it doesn't help them to unalive themselves less often.
Moreover, that's just weird to complain about expectations or something but to state that it's what stops females from suicide... Then maybe we should apply those expectations to men too, huh

Can you fk n stop ruining the thread .nobody wants to argue about your bs

 

[Dot]

Lmao, that's sensational, beauty standards save lives...
We should oblige men to look beautiful then to make them care about the beauty of their corpses more to decrease suicide rates among them

You are trying to pull the blanket to the women's side so badly. Wellbeing? Servitude of others? I don't know what you're trying to proof since men are literally expected to sacrifice their own lives in wars for everyone. And there are tons of usual expectations for men too. Every sex has its own problems. I'm not trying to invalidate female suicidality but it seems as you if you wished that statistics were way higher for them or something.

Aside from mentions of actual studies your takes are laughable.

Thy mght b mre awre of factrs affctng femle ctb basd on thr own rsearch & xpernce

U r free t/ add factrs impactng mn if u fnd thm relvnt

 

[persimmon]

Have to enjoy the irony of home of suicide tourism Peru at the bottom of the table. The UK really need to raise our game. Bottom 5 is unacceptable.

 

[qw3rty259]

Thy mght b mre awre of factrs affctng femle ctb basd on thr own rsearch & xpernce

And I think it's perfectly fine for me to criticise things I find absurd.

U r free t/ add factrs impactng mn if u fnd thm relvnt

That's not about what's impacting who. As instead of focusing on the things that actually make females commit suicide or positive things that make females' situation better in comparison to males' she's just trying to say "we have it SO bad we have it better" which as i said, i find ridiculous and detached from the reality.

 

[limeoctave]

I am sure that many, or all, countries do not give the true numbers on suicides. They must maintain an international image even in something like this. 1984 is 2 steps away

Yes, they also can use other causes of death in the statistics, like accidents. They sometimes changed the causes of death in my country during covid times

I wonder where North Korea is on that list and how much of the statistics are real there

 

[ham and potatoes]

It's interesting to me that people in first-world countries seem to kill themselves way more than those in third-world countries. You would think that people in exploited, less-developed countries would be more miserable, but apparently they are happier?

I wonder if that is just a reporting/ record keeping thing?
Something tells me they aren't doing much suicide record keeping in Yemen or Somalia

 

[sserafim]

@Rocinante I don't want to be just another statistic

 

[katara]

My country is on the top but yeah, I know pretty many women from Korea who committed suicide.. maybe there's something in our dna that makes us being more prone to be suicidal?

I always wondered this too, whenever there's attractive and well-off people who end their lives, I never understand it. I think it's usually a wave of stress that appears suddenly that overwhelms them. Some of it is cultural too. I've heard many cases of Japanese students committing suicide because of bad grades. When I first learned of this i was shocked because this doesn't happen where i live.

 

[sovcat]

Someone more informed can correct me, but South Korea just seems like a pressure cooker of expectations regarding materialism, status, and beauty standards, moreso than I've seen in most other places. As modern as it may seem in the cities, there's something unnerving about those very high expectations they put on each other. Seems to lead to a lot of sadness.