Industrialized countries tend to have a higher suicide rate than poor,
developing countries
The U.S. has a moderate suicide rate compared to other
industrialized countries.
Inter-state/province comparisons:
U.S. Suicide rates are highest in the western and rocky mountain
states.
U.S. Suicide rates are lowest in the Northeastern states.
Canadian suicide rates are highest in British Columbia, on the
west coast.
Canadian rates are lowest in Newfoundland, on the east coast.
U.S. data: 2
There were 31,204 deaths by suicide recorded in 1995; 30,535 in
1997. The actual
number is probably significantly higher, because many suicides are
recorded as accidents.
The most common method of committing suicide (58%) involves firearms. Next
were hanging and poisoning. Simply making firearms less easily
accessible to a suicidal person can drastically reduce their
chance of them taking their own life.
More females than males attempt suicide.
More males than females "succeed" at suicide, by a
ratio of 4 to 1.
Comparison of groups within the U.S.:
The average suicide rate in the U.S. is about 12 per 100,000.
1.3% of all the deaths in 1997 were by suicide. This compares to
31% from heart disease, 23 from cancer, 7% from stroke.
Whites commit suicide at a higher rate, than African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics.
Young Native Americans have a very high suicide rate; older Native
Americans commit suicide less often than do Whites of the same age.
Married folks have a lower rate of suicide than do divorced,
separated, widowed and single people.
Suicide rates increase with age: 4
Age
Suicide rate per 100,000
10 to 14 years
1.6
15 to 19
9.5
20 to 24
13.6
Whites over 85
65
About one in three American teenagers has contemplated suicide. An
Internet poll by About.com indicated that 50% of teens visiting that web
site had considered it.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among the entire
population.
Suicide has been reported as the second leading cause of death among
teenagers, exceeded only by traffic accidents. However, the
suicide rate among teens is actually lower than that of older persons. Teens tend
to have few life-threatening illnesses; teenage deaths from
disease is quite low. Thus, the relatively few suicides among teens make
suicide a leading cause of death. 3
The reported U.S. suicide rate for very young people (10 to 14 years of
age) increased by 183% between 1970 and 1993. However, much of this
increase may not be real. In the past, there was widespread denial that
pre-teens could decide to end their lives.
Data concerning young homosexuals is somewhat unreliable. It appears
that about one in three teen aged suicides is by a gay or lesbian. Since
homosexuals represent only about 5% of the population, gays and lesbians
are greatly over-represented.
Among the most common faith groups in the U.S., Protestants have the
highest suicide rate; Roman Catholics are next; Jews have the lowest
rate.
Followers of religions that strongly prohibit suicide, like Christianity and
Islam, have a higher suicide rate than those religions which have no
strong prohibition (e.g. Buddhism and Hinduism.)
A person has a higher risk of suicide if their parent, close relative
or close friend has taken their own life.
