It is a big mystery the world over, it has prevailed for centuries and considered to continue increasing in the coming years. Suicide is the mystery. World health organisation report indicates that there is a person who commits suicide in every 40 minutes. The report goes to further expound that over one million cases of suicide are reported each year. It further estimates that the cases are likely to increase with the coming years raising concerns all over the world. While a number of the victims leave suicide notes explaining the reason for their actions, it remains as a mystery as to why and how the person took the option as the best.
In the United States, the month of November is slated as the National Suicide Prevention Month where presentations are made to sensitize the communities it the country on better ways to deal with problems considered as leading causes of suicide. Leading causes are considered to be mental illnesses, depression, terrorism, broken relationships and poverty among others. Here is a list of top 10 countries with the highest suicide rates across the globe in 2022.
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10. Belarus
Since the last days of the Soviet Union, Belarus registered a relatively high number of suicide deaths. This was back in 1980 and the country continues to record many cases of suicide. Suicide is considered as the second leading cause of death in the country. The problem is recorded to be high among the age-groups of 45 to 64 years of age. It is estimated that 20.5 people in 100,000 estimated to die by committing suicide. According to extensive research, the rising cases of suicide in the country is attributed to high cases of alcohol abuse where the country has taken efforts in the last 35 years to sensitise and reduce cases of alcoholism.
9. Latvia
Despite the decreasing prevalence of suicides since mid-1990s, cases of suicide are still high in Latvia compared to other countries across the globe. Statistics indicate that in every 100,000 people, 2.8 die through suicide. Research statistics indicate that death through suicide is more prevalent in men than in women. This mostly affects male between the ages of 40 to 49 years. The research findings indicate that the leading cause for the cases include alcohol, mental illness and unemployment. With its high rate of suicide cases, Latvia stands in the ninth position across the globe.
8. Sri Lanka
With over 4,000 suicidal deaths every year, Sri Lanka holds the eighth position in the list with highest suicide cases. The high cases of suicide in the country are highly attributed to the prevailing poverty level among the country’s population. Common forms of suicide in the country include poisoning, hanging or jumping down high heights. The most affected age group is between 15 – 44 years consisting mainly of males. Recording 21.3 deaths in every 100,000 people, the rate is considered to have considerably reduced compared to the rates in mid-1980s when there were 33 suicide cases in every 100,000 persons. It is one of the biggest headaches for the government with National Institute of health seeking for ways to remedy the situation.
7. Japan
Despite being among the biggest drivers of global economy, Japan is also suffering from the high cases of suicides. The country is currently experiencing 2.4 suicide deaths in every 100,000 persons. Of these cases, 70% is from the male population. Main reasons attributed to the prevalence include hard economic satiations, depression and social pressure. Unlike most courtiers, Japan has a tradition of honouring suicide when the person victim is considered to have suffered from economic breakdown. This makes the efforts to curb the problems quite difficult for the government.
6. Hungary
With 21.7 out of 100,000 people in the country dying from suicide, Hungary takes the sixth position. Like in most countries, the country experiences higher number of males having the problem when compared to women. Leading the pack is the divorced or widowed men in the ages between 30 and 60 years. Alcoholics and unemployed persons are considered to be at a higher risk of contemplating suicide. Unlike most developed countries, Hungary has resulted to use of antidepressants in an attempt to curb the rising cases of suicide. The government also has in place measure to support those at higher risks in the efforts to curb the situation.
5. Slovenia
Despite its low population of only 2 million residents, Slovenia experiences over 400 suicide deaths every year. Though considered a drop from the record in the 2000s where over 600 deaths from suicide were recorded every year. It ranks in the fifth position with a rate of 21.8 suicide deaths in every 100,000 persons. Like in most countries, alcohol is considered to be the highest risk factor in the country. In 2003, the country established strict alcohol laws with intent to curb the rising cases of suicide. This has borne fruits with a decrease of 12% on the cases reported.
4. Kazakhstan
Holding over 3% of the total suicide deaths recorded through the world, Kazakhstan takes the 4th position in the list of countries with the highest suicide cases. It holds the highest rates of suicide cases among boys and girls in the ages between 14 and 19 years. Unlike most countries where suicide cases are decreasing, Kazakhstan is recording an increase with over 23% increment of suicidal deaths among the young generation. Initial investigations attribute school bullying and tormenting as the leading causes of the prevalent problem. However, there is still no credible cause or remedy that has been ascertained so far leaving the government in deep trouble in seeking for ways to curb the rising cases.
3. Guyana
Guyana takes the third position among the countries with highest suicide rates. The highest cases are recorded amongst men with more of them resulting to poisoning by using weed killers. Approximately 40 men in every 100,000 are likely to commit suicide in the country. The leading cause of the situation is attributed to high poverty rates where men results to alcohol and domestic abuse and domestic violence before taking their lives. It is estimated that there are more cases of suicide that go unreported mostly in the rural areas. The most affected group includes men in the middle age and the elderly.
2. South Korea
South Korea is one of the leading countries with highest suicide problems. It ranks in the second position on the globe. Currently, the country is reporting suicide deaths of 28.1 suicides in every 100,000 residents. The high ranking comes irrespective of the recorded decline in the reported cases in recent years. The decline is attributed to efforts by Korean Association for Suicide Prevention. The cases are said to affect mostly those who are above the age of 60 years. With strong traditions, the young are required to cater for their aged and this is attributed as the leading cause as the parents seek for ways to ease burdens on their children.
1. Lithuania
Leading the world with the cases of suicide in Lithuania. The country has a history of economic issues that are said to be the leading cause of suicide among the citizens. Statistics indicate that 31 in every 100,000 commit suicide. Suicide cases are said to be more prevalent in men in the ages between 35 and 54, considered to be most production and the family-rearing age.
While suicide is a global phenomenon, it is more prevalent in some courtiers when compared to others. Poverty is among the leading causes of suicide where men are the casualties as they fail in finding meaningful ways to fed for their families. Mental illnesses and alcohol and drug abuse are also on the list of causes. The top 10 countries with the highest suicide rates on the globe are suffering from these conditions and hence ways required to combat the practice.
