40 People Die Daily... 14,439 Deaths by Self-Harm, Highest in 13 Years

14,439 Deaths from 'Intentional Self-Harm'
Up 3.3% from the Previous Year

Last year, the number of people who took their own lives in South Korea was the highest in 13 years since 2011.

According to the Korea Life Respect Hope Foundation and Statistics Korea on the 26th, the number of deaths due to 'intentional self-harm' last year was tentatively estimated at 14,439. This figure is a provisional estimate based on death reports from Statistics Korea and investigation data from the National Police Agency, with the final number to be announced in September through the '2024 Cause of Death Statistics.'

'SOS Lifeline' installed on the Han River bridge. Provided by the Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation

According to the provisional number of suicide deaths last year, about 40 people (39.5) died by suicide each day, an increase of 3.3% (461 people) compared to the confirmed figure of 13,978 in the previous year. This is the highest number in 13 years since 2011, when the number of suicides was at its peak (15,906), showing an increase for two consecutive years compared to the previous year. The suicide rate, which refers to the number of suicides per 100,000 people, is also estimated at 28.3 (based on the resident registration population in 2024), marking the highest rate in 11 years since 2013 (28.5).

By gender, among suicide deaths, males numbered 10,341, while females were 4,098, with males more than twice as many. Male suicides increased by 6.1% compared to the previous year, while female suicides decreased by 3.1%. By age group, those in their 50s accounted for the largest share at 21.0% of total deaths, followed by those in their 40s (19.0%), 60s (16.5%), and 30s (13.4%).

On the other hand, the rate of increase compared to the previous year was highest among those in their 30s (11.6%), followed by those in their 40s (9.0%) and 50s (8.4%). Those in their 20s (-5.4%), 70s (-6.0%), and 80s and older (-9.0%) showed a decrease compared to the previous year. In particular, the number of suicides among males in their 30s to 50s increased by double digits, significantly contributing to the overall rise in deaths. By month, January last year saw 1,338 deaths, a sharp increase of 32.9% compared to the previous year. Especially, the number of male deaths in their 30s to 50s was higher in the first quarter than at other times.

※ If you have difficult-to-talk-about concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎109 or the Suicide Prevention SNS counseling service 'Madeullan.'