A recent study shows that suicide rates in the world are on the rise. In 20 years, the number of suicides has gone up by 20,000. An estimated 800,000 people die each year from suicide.
Among the factors responsible for the increase in suicide is population growth. Suicide rates are also highest among people at age 70 or more in most countries.
To understand suicide patterns, the researchers investigated the link between ages, population growth, sex, and income in the last 30 years. They used the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), which estimates the population in different countries according to sex, age, and location.
How researchers conducted the study
The team focussed on the impact changes had on gender and age-specific suicide rates and population growth in the four income levels. The four income levels defined by the World Bank are high income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low income.
Researchers found the overall suicide rate was 9.8/100,000 people in 2019 compared to 13.8/ 100,000 in 1990. Suicide rates among women also reduced from 11 to 6.1 for every 10,000 people and 16.6 to 13.5 among men.
Countries that had an upper-middle-income experienced a reduction of 6.25/100,000 in the suicide rate. Those with lower-middle income had a decrease of 2.52/100,000. The fall in suicide rates for women, which was higher than men’s, was steeper in countries with a high-upper-middle-income.
The number of suicides increased between 1990-2018 by 738,799. This increase was higher in low-middle income countries, where it rose by 72,550. The cause of the rise was a change in population age structure and population growth. The suicide rates of men were explained by the differences in male population age structure (604%) and population growth (890%).
Increased life expectancy and population growth could lead to an increase in suicide
Researchers still do not know what has led to the decreased suicide rate in all levels of income. They have concluded that the role population growth plays in suicide might be an issue for low-income countries with a fast-growing population. As life expectancy continues to increase, the rates of suicide among the elderly might also go high. The elderly have the highest suicide rates for both sexes.
Many middle and low-income countries do not put focus on suicide prevention. However, suicide rates are bound to go higher, making suicide prevention a priority.
