Suicide rates and trends in Europe vary significantly by country, with some nations witnessing rising rates while others experience declines.
- Eastern European Countries: These countries tend to have higher suicide rates. Lithuania, Latvia, and Hungary consistently report some of the highest rates in Europe. For instance, Lithuania recorded a rate of 24.4 suicides per 100,000 people in 2020. Although this represents a decline from earlier decades, the figures remain concerning.
- Western Europe: Rates are generally lower in Western European countries. In France, the rate is approximately 13.5 suicides per 100,000, while Germany reported a rate of 9.7 per 100,000. Both countries have seen stable or slightly declining trends over the past decade.
- Nordic Countries: Suicide rates in Nordic countries like Finland and Sweden are moderate compared to Eastern Europe, with Finland reporting about 13.4 suicides per 100,000 and Sweden around 11.6. While these rates are lower than those in Eastern Europe, they remain higher than in many Western European countries.
- Southern Europe: Southern European countries, including Italy and Spain, generally have lower suicide rates. Italy’s rate is about 7.3 per 100,000, while Spain’s is even lower at approximately 6.6 per 100,000.
- United Kingdom and Ireland: The United Kingdom had a suicide rate of 10.4 per 100,000 people in 2020, a slight increase over the past decade, particularly among young adults and middle-aged men. Ireland’s rate is lower, at around 7.8 per 100,000, but it has also seen some fluctuations in recent years.
Across Europe, suicide prevention efforts have intensified, focusing on mental health services, awareness campaigns, and reducing stigma. However, economic factors, mental health issues, and societal stressors continue to contribute to suicide rates across many regions.
Furthermore, these numbers would be much higher if every sucide-attempt were successful. The WHO estimates that there are 20 (!) failed suicide attempts for every committed suicide.* This only supports the necessity of life-affirming prevention-programmes.