Abstract
An investigation of global suicide rates in 1990–2021 revealed that (i) Eastern Europe, Southern sub-Saharan Africa, and Central sub-Saharan Africa had the highest suicide rates, and (ii) the suicide rates in East Asia showed the greatest decline between 1990 and 2021. 1 In Japan and South Korea, suicide prevention measures are still a critical issue being examined by multiple entities and research groups.2,3 The importance of focusing on preventing suicides among younger people has been cited worldwide, particularly in recent years.4,5 Closer attention should be given to many countries’ suicide rates among younger individuals, as it is necessary to identify the countries with the highest suicide rates in this population and to develop and implement effective suicide prevention measures with a particular focus on the countries’ younger populations.
We thus investigated suicide trends among younger individuals in eight advanced countries: the G7 countries (Japan, the USA, Canada, France, the UK, Italy, and Germany) and South Korea. We analyzed only publicly available numerical data, without individual information. The data were compiled by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare based on World Health Organization data published in February 2025. 6 We analyzed suicide rates (per 100,000 population) and the ranking of suicide among causes of death for individuals aged 10–14, 15–19, 20–24, and 25–29 years. The data from Japan, the USA, Canada, France, and South Korea were from 2022; those from the UK and Italy were from 2021, and those from Germany were from 2020. 6
The suicide rate per 100,000 among children aged 10–14 was 2.3 in Japan and the USA, 1.2 in Canada, 1.0 in France, <0.7 in the UK, <0.8 in Italy, 0.6 in Germany, and 3.3 in South Korea. Among the causes of death in this age group, suicide ranked 1st in Japan and South Korea, 2nd in the USA, 3rd in Canada, France, and Germany, and 4th or lower in the UK and Italy.
The suicide rate among individuals aged 15–19 was 12.2 in Japan, 9.9 in the USA, 7.4 in Canada, 3.8 in France, 5.9 in the UK, 3.4 in Italy, 4.0 in Germany, and 11.1 in South Korea. Among the causes of death in this age group, suicide ranked 1st in Japan and South Korea, 2nd in Canada, France, the UK, Italy, and Germany, and 3rd in the USA.
The suicide rate among young adults aged 20–24 was 21.3 in Japan, 17.4 in the USA, 9.5 in Canada, 8.4 in France, 10.7 in the UK, 4.3 in Italy, 7.1 in Germany, and 18.1 in South Korea. Among the causes of death in this age group, suicide ranked 1st in Japan, the UK, and South Korea and ranked 2nd in the USA, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany.
The suicide rate among adults aged 25–29 was 19.4 in Japan, 17.9 in the USA, 9.6 in Canada, 8.9 in France, 11.3 in the UK, 5.0 in Italy, 7.3 in Germany, and 24.2 in South Korea. Among the causes of death in this age group, suicide ranked 1st in Japan, Germany, and South Korea, 2nd in the USA, Canada, France, and the UK, and 3rd in Italy.
Based on these results, it is clear that among the eight countries the suicide rates among individuals in their 10s and 20s were highest in Japan, the USA, and South Korea, and suicide also ranked high as a cause of death in these three countries. In 2022, the most common causes of/motives for suicide among individuals aged ≤19 years in Japan were “problems at school” and “health problems (particularly psychiatric disorders),” while the most common cause of/motive for suicide among individuals in their 20 s was “health problems (particularly psychiatric disorders).”7,8 In the USA, problems at school and mental health problems represent major factors for suicide among younger people. 6 In South Korea, psychiatric disorders including depression and psychological distress due to circumstances at school affect the state of suicide among younger people.9,10
In other words, measures to prevent suicide by individuals in their 10s and 20s are rapidly important, especially in Japan, the USA, and South Korea. In these three countries, measures must be devised to address mental health issues for individuals in their 10s and 20s, and additional measures are important to address problems at school for 10s. When necessary, joint studies among relevant fields should also actively be conducted in these countries.
