Suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea: Suicide rate, by sex was 20.55 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ▬ Flat
Latest (2021)
20.55 deaths per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 1.0%
World rank
11th
of 194 countries
All-time high
29.44 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2009
All-time low
14.5 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2000
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea is 20.55 deaths per 100,000 people, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 1.0% on the previous year and down 28.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea peaked at 29.44 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009 and was at its lowest, 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places Republic of Korea 11th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
Suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 15.42 deaths per 100,000 people | +6.4% |
| 2002 | 18.52 deaths per 100,000 people | +20.1% |
| 2003 | 23.14 deaths per 100,000 people | +25.0% |
| 2004 | 23.92 deaths per 100,000 people | +3.4% |
| 2005 | 24.77 deaths per 100,000 people | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 21.48 deaths per 100,000 people | -13.3% |
| 2007 | 23.96 deaths per 100,000 people | +11.6% |
| 2008 | 24.93 deaths per 100,000 people | +4.1% |
| 2009 | 29.44 deaths per 100,000 people | +18.1% |
| 2010 | 28.6 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 28.55 deaths per 100,000 people | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 24.51 deaths per 100,000 people | -14.2% |
| 2013 | 24.21 deaths per 100,000 people | -1.2% |
| 2014 | 22.63 deaths per 100,000 people | -6.5% |
| 2015 | 21.27 deaths per 100,000 people | -6.0% |
| 2016 | 20.36 deaths per 100,000 people | -4.3% |
| 2017 | 19.14 deaths per 100,000 people | -6.0% |
| 2018 | 20.99 deaths per 100,000 people | +9.7% |
| 2019 | 21.02 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 20.35 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.2% |
| 2021 | 20.55 deaths per 100,000 people | +1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22.01 deaths per 100,000 people | 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people | 29.44 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 23.13 deaths per 100,000 people | 19.14 deaths per 100,000 people | 28.6 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.45 deaths per 100,000 people | 20.35 deaths per 100,000 people | 20.55 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Republic of Korea
- 8 Uruguay 22.21 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 9 Micronesia, Federated States of 21.93 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 10 Eritrea 21.6 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 12 South Africa 20.34 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 13 Solomon Islands 20.3 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 14 Mozambique 20.15 deaths per 100,000 people compare
More health data for Republic of Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.43 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.1935 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,072 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 69 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 60-64, female, annual growth rate -1.83 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per capita 0.0404 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, annual growth rate -1.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per capita 0.0398 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea?
- Suicide rate, by sex in Republic of Korea was 20.55 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest suicide rate, by sex recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 29.44 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009.
- What is the lowest suicide rate, by sex recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Republic of Korea rank for suicide rate, by sex?
- Republic of Korea ranks 11th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide rate, by sex rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 28.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Republic of Korea data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Suicide rate, by sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of age-standardized deaths from self-harm in both sexes, per 100,000 people.