Psychology Suicide rates down worldwide - especially in rich countries
According to an analysis, suicide rates fell by almost 30 percent on average in 102 countries between 1990 and 2021. In high-income countries, the decline was even slightly higher, as the research team writes in the journal "Nature Mental Health".
19.08.2025, 05:03
SDA
The values for countries on five continents were based on the database of the World Health Organization (WHO). The data was analyzed by an international team led by Soeun Kim and Selin Woo from Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul. According to the study, the suicide rate in the 102 countries fell by an average of 29.9 percent from 10.33 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 1990 to 7.24 in 2021.
The team cites the promotion of responsible media reporting and the strengthening of social-emotional skills among young people as reasons for the decline in suicide rates in Europe.
Holger Leerhoff from the Berlin-Brandenburg Statistical Office points to improved access to psychiatric and psychosocial care, the destigmatization of mental illness and prevention programmes, among other things. These factors have shown positive effects in many regions, said Leerhoff, who was not involved in the study.
Initially higher suicide rate in rich countries
54 countries in the analysis are considered high-income countries. In 1990, they had a comparatively high suicide rate of 12.68 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, although this fell considerably over time. In the coronavirus year 2021, only 8.61 cases were registered - 32.1 percent fewer. In low- to middle-income countries, the figure fell from 7.88 to 5.73 in the same period. That is a decrease of 27.3 percent. However, there may be different definitions of suicide in different countries, which could distort the statistics, the researchers explain.
The same applies to social attitudes towards reporting suicide. According to the study, stigmatization, religious prohibitions and criminalization could lead to the figures being too low, particularly in countries with comparatively low to medium incomes. At the same time, however, suicide rates rise in these countries as their level of development increases. The researchers point to analyses showing that this is partly due to rapid urbanization.
Forecast up to 2050
The research team ventures a forecast of the future suicide rate for the 102 countries: according to the calculations, this could continue to fall slowly to as low as 6.49 cases per 100,000 inhabitants by 2050.
However, the scientists point out in their study that suicide deaths could continue to be higher in certain countries and within certain groups. "These results therefore suggest that more effective strategies and measures to reduce suicide mortality are needed" - as a collective global effort.
What do experts say about the study?
Statistician Leerhoff rates the evaluation as "solid" and the forecasting methodology as recognized. "However, such long-term forecasts naturally harbor uncertainties, as they cannot take into account unforeseeable developments such as economic crises, pandemics or social upheavals," he qualified.
Lasse Sander from the Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology at the University of Freiburg was also not involved in this study. He commented on the assessment that the trends described were in line with the results of other studies.
Seeking professional help
However, this long-term positive development should not obscure the fact that "the figures are still too high", emphasized Sander. "Every year, more than 700,000 people worldwide die by suicide.
The vast majority of suicide attempts take place in the context of temporary or treatable crisis situations. "If you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, you can be helped professionally," said Sander. This could take place at local emergency outpatient clinics, family doctors or anonymously at the telephone counseling service. Children, young people or parents with such family concerns can contact the number against grief.
If you are worried about someone in this regard, "it is helpful to talk to this person specifically about possible suicidal thoughts and to support them in seeking professional help," emphasized Sander.
