Number of suicides in Japan
Japan: Number of suicides was 21,772 deaths in 2021. ▼ Falling
Number of suicides in Japan, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
Japan recorded 21,772 deaths for number of suicides in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% on the previous year and down 27.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of suicides in Japan peaked at 32,774 deaths in 2003 and was at its lowest, 20,758 deaths, in 2019.
Japan ranks 5th of 194 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Number of suicides in Japan, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 30,528 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 29,665 deaths | -2.8% |
| 2002 | 30,502 deaths | +2.8% |
| 2003 | 32,774 deaths | +7.4% |
| 2004 | 30,928 deaths | -5.6% |
| 2005 | 31,276 deaths | +1.1% |
| 2006 | 30,736 deaths | -1.7% |
| 2007 | 32,170 deaths | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 31,458 deaths | -2.2% |
| 2009 | 32,109 deaths | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 31,072 deaths | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 30,069 deaths | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 27,859 deaths | -7.3% |
| 2013 | 27,504 deaths | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 25,801 deaths | -6.2% |
| 2015 | 24,577 deaths | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 22,454 deaths | -8.6% |
| 2017 | 21,794 deaths | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 21,348 deaths | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 20,758 deaths | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 21,553 deaths | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 21,772 deaths | +1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 31,215 deaths | 29,665 deaths | 32,774 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 25,324 deaths | 20,758 deaths | 31,072 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,662 deaths | 21,553 deaths | 21,772 deaths | 2 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 2 China 127,268 deaths compare
- 3 United States of America 52,098 deaths compare
- 4 Russian Federation 30,999 deaths compare
- 6 Brazil 16,091 deaths compare
- 7 Republic of Korea 14,254 deaths compare
- 8 South Africa 13,227 deaths compare
More health data for Japan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.73 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2774 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,294 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 178 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 75-79, female, annual growth rate 5.71 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per capita 0.0384 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, annual growth rate 5.61 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per capita 0.0322 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of suicides in Japan?
- Number of suicides in Japan was 21,772 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of suicides recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 32,774 deaths in 2003.
- What is the lowest number of suicides recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 20,758 deaths in 2019.
- How does Japan rank for number of suicides?
- Japan ranks 5th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of suicides rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of suicides. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from self-harm in both sexes.