Suicide: Top 10 countries with the highest rates

In the age of information technology, spreading, receiving, and editing information has become a simple process accessible to anyone. Very few facts remain outside the web’s reach. One of the most sensitive topics among them is suicide. We frequently come across reports of such incidents, yet many people still avoid talking about suicide. Nevertheless, many public health experts believe that openness and discussion are vital tools in combating the growing prevalence of suicide. Taking this into account, we decided to explore how suicide rates differ across the world and why these figures are particularly high in some countries. This article examines the countries with the highest rates, regional and gender differences, and related factors.

It should first be noted that the following data primarily covers 38 high- and middle-income member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Indicator: Suicide rates per 100,000 people (based on 2020 data)

1. South Korea (24.1)

Suicide in South Korea is a serious public health issue, particularly among the elderly who are socially and family-wise isolated. Over the past decade, the rate among young people has also increased. Although various initiatives have been launched to prevent suicides, significant progress has yet to be achieved.

2. Lithuania (20.3)

While Lithuania’s suicide rate has been declining since the mid-1990s, it remains the second highest among OECD countries. As in many former Soviet states, the transition from communism in the 1990s was difficult, worsening social conditions and contributing to mental health challenges.

3. Hungary (16.1)

Hungary has made progress in combating suicide, with the rate gradually decreasing over the years. However, as in many other countries with high suicide rates, regional disparities persist: suicides are more common in poorer and rural areas.

4. Slovenia (15.7)

Another Central European country, Slovenia, also has a high rate of suicide, though a significant decline has been recorded. Despite being a small nation with a modern mixed economy and a high standard of living, suicide rates still vary considerably by gender and region.

5. Japan (15.4)

Japan’s suicide rate has fluctuated in recent years, partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. After peaking sharply in the late 1990s, the rate gradually declined but rose again during the pandemic. Among Japanese men aged 20–44, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death.

6. Estonia (15.1)

Estonia, a Northern European OECD member, is a developed, high-income country with a strong economy. Nevertheless, suicide remains a persistent problem, reflecting the complexity and difficulty of addressing mental health challenges.

7. Latvia (14.9)

Like Estonia, Latvia is a Northern European country located in the Baltic region. Despite being small and developed, issues such as alcohol abuse and social alienation contribute to its high suicide rate.

8. Belgium (14.6)

Belgium has the highest suicide rate in Western Europe. This highlights that even wealthy nations with advanced healthcare systems are not immune to serious mental health problems.

9. United States (14.1)

The United States, despite being one of the world’s wealthiest countries, has long struggled with a relatively high suicide rate. Over the past decade, the situation has worsened, particularly in relation to “deaths of despair” — suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver diseases.

10. Finland (12.9)

Finland, a Scandinavian nation, is known for having one of the best education and healthcare systems in the world. Yet, despite its high living standards and happiness rankings, suicide rates remain relatively high. Researchers attribute this to long, dark, cold winters and depression among those who feel left behind from the country’s overall prosperity.

Higher suicide rates in non-OECD countries

As noted earlier, these rankings exclude non-OECD countries, which account for billions of people worldwide. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, Africa has the highest suicide rates globally. In some countries, the figures far exceed those of South Korea. The small nation of Lesotho, for instance, faces a particularly tragic situation, with 87.5 suicides per 100,000 people.

As horrifying as these numbers may seem, they reflect certain underlying realities. Despite being rich in natural resources and having one of the fastest-growing populations, many African nations remain relatively poor, with millions facing severe social problems, conflicts, and wars.

Men commit suicide more often than women

One of the few consistent truths about suicide is that men take their own lives far more often than women. Although researchers have examined numerous contributing factors, this gender gap remains a scientific mystery. Interestingly, while men die by suicide more frequently, women attempt it more often. In other words, women tend to think and talk about suicide more than men.

Why, then, do men talk less about suicide but act on it more? Some experts believe that the burden of being the primary or sole breadwinner puts men under immense psychological pressure during difficult economic times. Moreover, men are generally less likely to share their feelings or maintain strong social connections outside their immediate families.