Senin, September 2, 2024 – 16:00 WIB

London, VIVA Suicide rates in England and Wales have reached their highest level in more than two decades, according to new data published on Thursday (29 August) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Alarming figures reveal that 6,069 suicides were recorded in both countries in 2023, a sharp increase from 5,642 in 2022.

ONS figures show that around three-quarters of people who commit suicide are men, a trend that has continued since the mid-1990s.

Last year, the male suicide rate was 17.4 deaths per 100,000 people, the highest since 1999.

For women, although the overall rate was lower, it rose from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 – the highest rate among women in almost 30 years.

The overall suicide rate in England and Wales in 2023 was 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people, also the highest since 1999.

The situation was more serious in Wales, where the death rate was 14.0 per 100,000, while in England the rate was 11.2 per 100,000.

“Rates have increased across all age groups compared to 2022, especially among those aged 45 to 64,” Vahe Nafilyan, head of data and analysis for social care and health at the ONS, said, as quoted by the Anadolu ajansi website.

“Suicide rates increased or remained unchanged in each of the nine regions of England, but the largest increases were in the North West. Suicide has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities and we will continue to monitor suicide registrations to support action to protect those at risk,” he added.