Overview
- An international team using WHO mortality records across 102 countries reports a 29.9% decline in suicides from 10.33 to 7.24 per 100,000 between 1990 and 2021, published in Nature Mental Health.
- In high‑income countries the rate fell 32.1% (12.68 to 8.61), while low‑ and middle‑income countries declined from 7.88 to 5.73, with researchers warning of under‑reporting and differing definitions that can bias comparisons.
- The study projects a gradual global decrease toward about 6.49 per 100,000 by 2050, though analysts stress substantial uncertainty from potential shocks such as economic crises or pandemics.
- Men die by suicide far more often than women (2021 rates: 11.51 vs 3.22 per 100,000), and older adults remain disproportionately affected.
- Trends vary by region, with U.S. rates rising roughly 29.5% from 2000 to 2020 and mixed patterns in Australia and parts of Africa; despite improvements, more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year and Germany recorded over 10,000 deaths in 2023.