Suicide rate in England and Wales 2021, by age

In England and Wales, the definition of suicide is a death with an underlying cause of intentional self-harm or an injury or poisoning with undetermined intent. In 2021, the age group with the highest rate of suicide was for those aged 50 to 54 years at 14.9 deaths per 100,000. The age groups 45 to 49 years with 14.5 deaths per 100,000 population had the second highest highest rate of suicides in the UK.

Gender difference in suicides

The suicide rate among men in England and Wales in 2021 was around three times higher than for women, the figures being 16 per 100,000 population for men compared to 5.5 for women. Although among both genders the suicide rate increased in 2021 compared to 2020.

Mental health in the UK

Over 53 thousand people in England were detained under the Mental Health Act in the period 2020/21. Alongside this, there has also been an increase in the number of workers in Great Britain suffering from stress, depression or anxiety. In 2020/21, around 822 thousand workers reported to be suffering from these work-related issues.