What is the global suicide rate?

The global average is approximately 9.0 suicides per 100,000 people, totaling over 700,000 deaths annually.

Which country has the highest suicide rate?

South Korea has one of the highest rates among developed nations at 23.6 per 100,000, particularly concerning among elderly and young people.

Is the global suicide rate declining?

Yes, it has declined from 14.5 per 100,000 in 2000 to 9.0 today, a 38% reduction, though rates are rising in some countries.

Global Average Suicide Rate

Last updated: February 2, 2026

9.0

per 100,000

The global average suicide rate is approximately 9.0 per 100,000 people, representing over 700,000 deaths annually. Rates are highest in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, and lowest in the Middle East and Caribbean. Men die by suicide at roughly 2.3x the rate of women.

Historical Trend

Source: WHO

Global Average Suicide Rate by Country

Country	Value (per 100,000) ↓	Source
South Korea	23.6	KOSIS
Russia	21.6	WHO
Japan	15.7	MHLW
United States	14	CDC
India	12.9	NCRB
France	12.1	CépiDc
Canada	11.8	StatCan
Australia	11.3	ABS
Germany	10.2	Destatis
United Kingdom	7.4	ONS
China	6.7	WHO
Brazil	6.4	WHO
Nigeria	4.9	WHO
Saudi Arabia	3.4	WHO
Pakistan	3.1	WHO

Why This Average Exists

Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death among young people. Tracking rates helps identify at-risk populations and evaluate mental health interventions.

Factors That Affect Global Average Suicide Rate

Mental health services access
Economic conditions
Social isolation
Cultural stigma
Substance abuse
Means restriction policies

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.