While you are reading this article of countries with the highest suicide rates, many people around the world are dying. Yes, dying is a natural process, and we will all die some day. That in itself is not something that should be overly depressing. However we are not talking about natural deaths here, after one has lived their life to the fullest and made the most of their life while they were blessed with it. We are talking about the most tragic deaths of all, those that were self-inflicted by people who, for whatever reason, could not continue to endure their living moments.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the world is committing suicide, a very sad remainder that no matter how much we believe things have improved in the world, for some people, they just can’t get the happiness or find the peace in this life they need to survive. Even worse than the almost 1 million people that are dying due to suicides is that experts say the number will only continue to grow unless countries do more to increase awareness about depression and those at risk of committing suicide.
Suicide is currently the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-44 years of age, and among those aged 10-24 it is even worse, ranking as the second most common cause of death. Those statistics are in addition to the many suicide attempts which are not factored in, and tell an even graver story of how many people are trying to take their own lives on a daily basis. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working tirelessly to prevent suicide. These organizations consider World Suicide Prevention Day as a significant day on the international calendar to bring awareness to the countries with the highest suicide rates, as well as those managing suicides a little better.
The following WHO data is based on official reports from each country, and therefore, can be considered as the most accurate suicide-related statistics. The total rate of suicide is determined based on the total number of suicides divided by the total population, and it is better than merely taking the average of the male and female suicide rates, because the gender ratio in most countries is not 1:1.
Here we present a list of ten countries with the highest suicide rates, according to data from the World Health Organization, in which a country’s rank is determined by its total rate of deaths officially recorded as suicides in the most recent available year, last updated in 2011. If you’re interested in reading more on this topic, we suggest you to read our previous cover story on the States with Highest Suicide Rates.
10. Japan
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 21.7
The Japanese always went through streams of suicide and surprisingly they have even honorable ones, going all the way back to the days of the Samurais, and most famously including the Kamikazes during World War II. Even at present, suicides are viewed as acceptable by the Japanese, and sometimes even honorable. The loss of a job, hardship of life, unemployment, depression and social pressures in a very rigid society can be considered as factors behind the statistics.
9. Hungary
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 21.7
Despite being among the ten countries with the highest suicide rates, Hungary’s suicide rates have actually nearly halved since the fall of communism. In 1984, Hungary had the highest rate in history with 46.1 and this is still a record to this day. The problems behind this can be traced back to World War I, when the country, which was previously a powerhouse, lost 70% of its territory.
8. Slovenia
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 21.8
As the country became independent and democratic in 1992, things began to improve for them. The suicide rate declined and the economy started to grow. Due to the global recession of the late 2000’s, Slovenia’s economy and growth was hit hard, and the country’s progress was dealt a serious setback. As a result, suicide rates again began to increase.
7. Belarus
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 21.9
In 1990, Belarus declared independence from the Soviet Union, but it still has close relations with Russia as the President of Belarus went against the people’s wishes following the independence and continued the Soviet-time policies. He stayed in power by violently threatening his opponents and oppressing the citizens of Belarus. Belarus likely has such a high suicide rate because of this.
6. China
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 22.2
Suicide rates are difficult to track in China, as the government is said to be lowering the numbers to paint a rosier picture of life in the People’s Republic. But we are left with no choice but to use the official statistics released by the Chinese government. Female suicide rates actually outnumber that of males and in reality, China has among the highest female suicide rates in the world.
5. Kazakhstan
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 25.6
Among the ten countries with the highest suicide rates is Kazakhstan. Being a 70% Islamic nation, Kazakhstan has struggled since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The global recession in the late 2000’s severely damaged the country’s economic progress, and unemployment started to rise.
4. Guyana
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 26.4
Unfortunately, suicide is still the same in Guyana as it was after the 1978 Jonestown incident, where 914 people took their own lives. The top cause of death for 15-24 year-olds in Guyana is suicide, which is quite shocking. The leading factors are depression and domestic problems.
3. South Korea
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 28.1
Suicide is the leading cause of death for those under 40 in South Korea. The rate has doubled in the last ten years alone. Many famous South Koreans have committed suicide, a list that includes millionaires, pop singers and professional soccer players. The economy is better compared to most other Asian countries, so what is driving the rising national suicide rate is a relative mystery.
2. Lithuania
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 31
Lithuania is among the ten countries with the highest suicide rates. It is an another country to declare independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s which has struggled to make the change from communism to capitalism. Over the last ten years , the suicide rate has doubled and it has been described as an “epidemic.” Social problems, financial problems and alcoholism are the major causes behind the elevated rate of suicides.
1. Greenland
Annual suicides per 100,000 people: 83
According to government reports, 1 in every 5 people in Greenland tries to commit suicide at some point in their lifetimes. Alcoholism, depression, poverty, conflict-ridden relationships, dysfunctional parental homes, insomnia caused by incessant daylight, and the culture clash between the traditional culture and the encroaching western culture etc. are considered as contributing factors in the country’s shockingly high rate of suicides and suicide attempts.
