In 2021, there were 47,346 suicides in the European Union (EU), representing 0.9% of all reported deaths that year. This figure equates to an average of 10.2 suicides per 100,000 people.
Compared to 2011, the first year for which data is available, the number of suicides decreased by 13.3% (a reduction of 7,277 deaths). In 2011, the standardized suicide mortality rate in the EU was 12.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
This report coincides with the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day, celebrated on September 10.
Among EU countries, Slovenia had the highest suicide rate in 2021, with 19.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Lithuania (19.5) and Hungary (15.7). On the other hand, Cyprus reported the lowest standardized suicide mortality rate, with 2.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Greece (4.2) and Italy (5.9).
Considering regional data, the Limousin region in France recorded the highest standardized suicide mortality rate with 21.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. This region was followed by the Dél-Alföld region in Hungary (21.7) and the Vzhodna region in Slovenia (21.6). In contrast, the regions with the lowest suicide mortality rates were Voreio Aigaio in Greece (1.5), Mayotte in France (1.8), and Cyprus (2.7).
As in previous years, the suicide rate was higher among men than women, with men accounting for 76.7% of all suicides. The highest number of suicides in the EU was recorded in the 45 to 64 age group, with 17,441 deaths, representing 37% of the total. The 65 and over age group closely followed with 15,998 deaths, representing 34% of the total.
Source: MiMub in Spanish