In 2022, the suicide rate in South Korea was particularly high among the elderly population over the age of 80, with 60.6 deaths per 100,000 population. While the overall suicide rate among people over 20 declined that year, the suicide rate among teens increased compared to the previous year. Suicide was the leading cause of death among people aged ten to 39 years.
Suicide among young people and elderly adults
South Korea has the highest suicide rate in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Poverty is one driving factor for suicide among the elderly – almost half of the senior citizens in the country live with less than half the median disposable income. Many do not want to become a burden for their family financially and commit suicide as a result of not being able to support themselves. For the younger population, education pressure, cyberbullying, as well as social media trends have been linked to suicidal behavior.
Suicide prevention
As a result of the elevated rate of suicide in the country, the South Korean government implemented the 'Strategies to Prevent Suicide (STOPS)' project. This initiative aimed to increase public awareness, as well as to increase government support. South Korea’s education ministry also created a smartphone app that can be used to detect suicidal language in students’ social media posts and messages.
Number of suicide deaths in South Korea in selected years from 2010 to 2022, by age group
(per 100,000 population)
Characteristic
10-19 years
20-29 years
30-39 years
40-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70-79 years
80+ years
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Statistics Korea. (September 21, 2023). Number of suicide deaths in South Korea in selected years from 2010 to 2022, by age group (per 100,000 population) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/789375/south-korea-suicide-death-rate-by-age-group/
Statistics Korea. "Number of suicide deaths in South Korea in selected years from 2010 to 2022, by age group (per 100,000 population)." Chart. September 21, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 27, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/789375/south-korea-suicide-death-rate-by-age-group/
Statistics Korea. (2023). Number of suicide deaths in South Korea in selected years from 2010 to 2022, by age group (per 100,000 population). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 27, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/789375/south-korea-suicide-death-rate-by-age-group/
Statistics Korea. "Number of Suicide Deaths in South Korea in Selected Years from 2010 to 2022, by Age Group (per 100,000 Population)." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/789375/south-korea-suicide-death-rate-by-age-group/
Statistics Korea, Number of suicide deaths in South Korea in selected years from 2010 to 2022, by age group (per 100,000 population) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/789375/south-korea-suicide-death-rate-by-age-group/ (last visited July 27, 2024)
Number of suicide deaths in South Korea in selected years from 2010 to 2022, by age group (per 100,000 population) [Graph], Statistics Korea, September 21, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/789375/south-korea-suicide-death-rate-by-age-group/