Suicide in the World (original) (raw)

Abstract

Introduction: Over the past 20 years the WHO has considerably improved world mortality data. There are still shortcomings but more countries now report data and world-wide estimates are regularly made. Methods: Data about mortality have been retrieved from the WHO world database. Worldwide injury mortality estimates for 2008 as well as trends of the suicide rate from 1950 to 2009 were analysed. Results: Suicides in the world amount to 782 thousand in 2008 according to the WHO estimate, which is 1.4% of total mortality and 15% of injury mortality. The suicide rate for the world as a whole is estimated at 11.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. The male-female rate ratio of suicide is estimated to be highest in the European Region (4.0) and the lowest in the Eastern Mediterranean region (1.1). Among males the highest suicide rate in the 15-29 age group is in the SE Asian region, in the 45-59 age group in European males and for ages above 60 in the Western Pacific region. Females from SE Asia have a remarkably high suicide rate among 15-29-year-olds and from age 45 in the Western Pacific region. The leading country is currently Lithuania, with a suicide rate of 34.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. Also among males the suicide rate is the highest in Lithuania at 61.2. Among females South Korea with 22.1 is at the top of world suicide rates. Conclusions: During the past six decades, according to the WHO Japan, Hungary, and Lithuania have topped the list of world countries by suicide rate, but if the current trends continue South Korea will overtake all others in a few years. The heart of the problem of suicide mortality has shifted from Western Europe to Eastern Europe and now seems to be shifting to Asia. China and India are the biggest contributors to the absolute number of suicides in the world.

Key takeaways

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  1. WHO estimates 782,000 global suicides in 2008, 1.4% of total mortality.
  2. Suicide rate is highest in Southeast Asia at 15.6 per 100,000 inhabitants.
  3. Lithuania leads with a suicide rate of 34.1 per 100,000, highest for males at 61.2.
  4. China and India contribute over 54% of global suicide deaths, despite reporting inaccuracies.
  5. The text aims to provide an overview of global suicide mortality trends over six decades.

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FAQs

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What regional variations exist in global suicide rates for different age groups?add

The overall global suicide rate is estimated at 11.6 per 100,000, with SE Asia having the highest at 15.6. Among males aged 15-29, the highest suicide rates are found in SE Asia.

How do historical trends in suicide mortality differ between regions?add

Analysis shows the focus of suicide mortality has shifted from Western Europe to Eastern Europe and now to Asia over the past 50 years. Notably, China and India are currently the largest contributors to global suicide numbers.

What challenges exist in obtaining reliable global suicide statistics?add

Many countries lack comprehensive vital statistics reporting, resulting in varied and often inaccurate suicide rate figures. The WHO reported in 2005 that only one third of countries have complete civil registration systems for accurate mortality data.

What is the male-to-female suicide rate ratio in various regions?add

The male-female ratio of suicides is 4 in Europe, 3.6 in the Americas, and 1.1 in the Eastern Mediterranean. Notably, China is the only country where females have a higher suicide rate than males.

What role does intent play in suicide mortality statistics, according to the research?add

Determining intent complicates the classification of suicide and contributes to challenges in acquiring accurate statistical data. The paper notes that while aggregated data on suicide may show stability, individual intent complicates direct comparisons across countries.