Suicide trends and patterns in young adults across global regions and selected major countries worldwide from the World Health Organization mortality database, 2001-2020

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to analyze trends and patterns of suicide among young adults worldwide, 2001-2020.

Methods: We used the World Health Organization Mortality Database to extract suicide deaths for individuals aged 20-39 years from 55 countries with valid and medium/high-quality data, 2001-2020. Suicide rates were calculated by sex, age group, and suicide method across global regions and countries. We conducted a joinpoint regression analysis to identify trends and changes in suicide rates.

Results: Marked geographical disparities were found in suicide trends by sex and method. In the Americas, suicide rates recently increased across all subregions, particularly in the North American region. In contrast, most European subregions showed decreasing trends in suicide rates in both males and females, except for North Europe. In Asia, suicide trends varied across subregions, with marked reductions in Central Asia among males and fluctuations in East Asia among females. Hanging was the most commonly used method across all countries, except in the US, where firearms were more used, particularly among males. Other major methods, such as poisoning and gas poisoning, showed changes in trends.

Conclusions: Suicide trends among young adults varied by sex, method, and country, with concerning increases or persistently high rates in some countries.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Public health; Suicide; Suicide prevention; Young adult.