Health Policy Manag.
2023 Jun;33(2):194-202. 10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.2.194.
Suicide Related Indicators and Trends in Korea in 2021
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- 3Department of Preventive Medicine, Eulji University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2549099
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.2.194
Abstract
- Background
This study aimed to update suicide-related indicators, including the number of suicidal deaths, suicide rate, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We observed trends in suicide-related indicators based on up-to-date information.
Methods
This study used five data sources to evaluate the trends of suicide-related indicators: Statistics Korea (1983–2021), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, 2012–2021), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, 2010–2013, 2016–2019), Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES, 2007–2013, 2015–2021), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, 2008–2009, 2013, 2017, 2021).
Results
The suicide rate per 100,000 population increased from 25.7 in 2020 to 26.0 in 2021. The rates of suicidal ideation from recently available data were 4.28% (KNHANES, 2021), 6.52% (KCHS, 2021), 1.61% (KOWEPS) and 7.10% (KHP, 2019). The suicidal attempts rates were 0.46% (KNHANES, 2021) and 0.34% (KCHS, 2021). The annual percentage change (APC) of suicide rate showed that suicide rates increased in the younger population (APC=9.02% in <19 years, APC=5.13 in 20–39 years) although the rates decreased in the older population (APC=-3.37 in 60–79 years, APC=-2.25 in >80 years).
Conclusion
The suicide rate and related indicators increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Thus, continuous observation and appropriate suicide prevention policies as well as studies about the factors that affected the increase in 2021 are needed.
