Suicide Statistics in the United States

Statistics suggest the percent of people who die by suicide is growing

Caucasian man laying on bed

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Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

Suicides in the United States have been on the rise, increasing 37% between 2000 and 2018. While there was a 5% decrease between 2018 and 2020, these rates returned to their peak in 2021. Suicide was the 11th leading cause of death among Americans in 2021.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 34. The annual suicide rate in the U.S. is over 14 deaths per 100,000 population.

Provisional estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that 49,449 people died by suicide in 2022, a 2.6% increase over the previous year. One person dies by suicide every 11 minutes.

At a Glance

Statistics suggest that suicide rates have reached an all-time high in the United States. The CDC collects data and vital statistics that allow them to track the percentage of people who die by suicide, including demographic information to understand better who is most at risk.

Suicide is linked to depression, other psychiatric conditions, and substance use. Recognizing the warning signs of suicide can help people know when to seek help and take steps to prevent suicide.

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The Suicide Rate

The suicide rate is the number of completed suicides per 100,000 people. Attempted suicide is not counted in the suicide rate.

In addition to completed suicides, the CDC reports that in 2021, 12.3 million adults in the United States seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million people made a plan, and 1.7 million attempted suicide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gathers data from hospitals on cases of self-harm and suicide each year. However, some suggest that these numbers are underreported due to the stigma surrounding suicide.

Suicide Rate Statistic Breakdowns

Suicide rates differ among age groups and other demographics.

Sex Differences

Men and women have differing rates of suicide. Women have higher rates of suicidal thinking, non-fatal suicidal behavior, and suicide attempts. Men, however, die by suicide at much higher rates.

One primary reason for this disparity is that men are more likely to use firearms, whereas women are more likely to overdose on medications or drugs.

  • The suicide rate is four times higher for males than females. In the United States, male deaths make up almost 80% of all suicide deaths.
  • Women are three times more likely to attempt suicide and have suicidal thoughts.
  • Firearms are the most common cause of death for men.
  • Poisoning is the most common cause of death for women.

The suicide rate is highest among middle-aged white males. A 2015 study in the Proceedings of the Natural Sciences found that the suicide rate among white, middle-aged American men has increased dramatically in recent years.

Disparities in Suicide Rates

Certain groups of people also tend to have higher rates of suicide. The CDC states that suicide and suicidal behavior is influenced by the conditions where people live and work, known as social determinants of health. People who experience discrimination and economic hardship because of race, sexual orientation, and disability have a higher risk of suicide.

  • In 2021, 26.3% of high school students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported attempting suicide in the previous year, a number five times higher than the rate resported for heterosexual students.
  • Data suggest that 82% of transgender people have considered suicide, and more than 41% have attempted it. These rates are highest among transgender youth.
  • Among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, suicide is a leading cause of death across all ages. The suicide rate for non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native people was 28.1 per 100,000.
  • While data are limited, surveys suggest that 30.6% of people with disabilities report experiencing suicidal ideation, a rate three times higher than that of non-disabled people. 

Where you live can also impact suicide risk. The suicide rate is 1.8 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas. 

Suicide Rates by Age Group

Suicide statistics by age group have been consistent for several years. Broken down by age group across all racial and ethnic groups, suicide as a leading cause of death ranked as follows:

Age Group Suicide Leading Cause of Death
10-14 Second
15-24 Third
25-34 Second
35-44 Fourth
45-54 Seventh
55-64 Ninth
65 and older Outside of the top 10

Suicide is expensive—not only in the emotional toll it takes but also in its real financial impact. Researchers suggest that the estimated loss is over $58 billion in medical costs and lost work.

How the United States Compares

The World Health Organization reports that nearly 700,000 people die worldwide each year from suicide, about one person every 40 seconds. Globally, it accounts for 1.3% of all deaths and was the 17th leading cause of death in 2019.

A 2019 report published in The BMJ found that the global suicide rate has dropped by almost a third since 1990. The study found that while the actual number of suicides increased during this time, the suicide rate dropped from 16.6 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 11.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2016.

These global declines in suicide deaths are largely attributed to drops in the suicide rates in China and India. Other countries, including the United States, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and Belize, all experienced significant increases in suicides over the same time period.

Depression and Suicide

Depression and suicide are linked, with an estimate that up to 60% of people who die by suicide have major depression. However, it's important to note that this figure doesn't mean most people with depression will attempt suicide.

Research suggests that the majority of suicides are related to a psychiatric condition, including depression, substance use disorders, and psychosis. Estimates indicate that the suicide risk for mental illnesses, including depression, alcoholism, and schizophrenia is around 5% to 8%.

However, while many people who die by suicide had symptoms of a mental condition, it is important to note that most people with symptoms of mental disorders do not commit suicide.

Depression and Suicide Warning Signs

There are warning signs you can watch for in those who may be at risk of attempting suicide. Suicide can affect anyone; there is no single type of person who may attempt or complete suicide.

The symptoms below are not exhaustive. However, these are the most common signs observed among people who may be contemplating taking their own life:

  • A change in personality, especially behaviors in social situations
  • Withdrawal from interaction or communication with others
  • Mood changes that are drastic, such as being in a very low mood one day to being in a very high mood the next
  • Triggers such as a life crisis or trauma in a person who is already living with depression
  • Threats of suicide or expressed negative wishes regarding life, such as wishing they'd "never been born"
  • Giving away cherished belongings to friends and loved ones
  • Deep depression observed that affects their ability to function socially or in the workplace
  • Aggressive or risky behaviors, such as high-speed driving

What to Do

If you or someone you know is depressed, there are effective treatments available.

  • Talking to your doctor is a good first step. Your primary care provider can offer support, treatment, and referrals to a mental health professional for other treatment options, which may include antidepressants and psychotherapy.
  • If you need help finding a therapist, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers an online search tool to help find professionals in your area.
  • Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness to learn more about support groups that you might find helpful.
18 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Leonard Holmes, PhD
Leonard Holmes, PhD, is a pioneer of the online therapy field and a clinical psychologist specializing in chronic pain and anxiety.