Suicide rate, by age in South Korea
South Korea: Suicide rate, by age was 19.94 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
19.94 deaths per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 2.4%
World rank
22nd
of 194 countries
All-time high
20.84 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2009
All-time low
10.48 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2001
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Suicide rate, by age in South 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 age in South Korea is 19.94 deaths per 100,000 people, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 2.4% on the previous year and up 11.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, suicide rate, by age in South Korea peaked at 20.84 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009 and was at its lowest, 10.48 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2001.
That places South Korea 22nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Suicide rate, by age in South Korea, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11.5 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 10.48 deaths per 100,000 people | -8.9% |
| 2002 | 11.05 deaths per 100,000 people | +5.4% |
| 2003 | 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people | +27.7% |
| 2004 | 13.12 deaths per 100,000 people | -6.9% |
| 2005 | 17.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +30.2% |
| 2006 | 12.75 deaths per 100,000 people | -25.4% |
| 2007 | 19.02 deaths per 100,000 people | +49.2% |
| 2008 | 19.31 deaths per 100,000 people | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 20.84 deaths per 100,000 people | +7.9% |
| 2010 | 18.69 deaths per 100,000 people | -10.3% |
| 2011 | 17.88 deaths per 100,000 people | -4.4% |
| 2012 | 15.25 deaths per 100,000 people | -14.7% |
| 2013 | 14.74 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.4% |
| 2014 | 13.87 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.9% |
| 2015 | 13.59 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 13.59 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 13.48 deaths per 100,000 people | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 15.53 deaths per 100,000 people | +15.2% |
| 2019 | 17.36 deaths per 100,000 people | +11.8% |
| 2020 | 19.47 deaths per 100,000 people | +12.2% |
| 2021 | 19.94 deaths per 100,000 people | +2.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14.93 deaths per 100,000 people | 10.48 deaths per 100,000 people | 20.84 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.4 deaths per 100,000 people | 13.48 deaths per 100,000 people | 18.69 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 19.71 deaths per 100,000 people | 19.47 deaths per 100,000 people | 19.94 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 19 Thailand 21.28 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 20 Eswatini 20.74 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 21 Lesotho 20.4 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 23 United States 19.86 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 24 Zimbabwe 19.82 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 25 South Africa 19.53 deaths per 100,000 people compare
More health data for South 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 0-14, female, annual growth rate -3.49 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per capita 0.0497 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, annual growth rate -3.64 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per capita 0.0523 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is suicide rate, by age in South Korea?
- Suicide rate, by age in South Korea was 19.94 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 age recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 20.84 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009.
- What is the lowest suicide rate, by age recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.48 deaths per 100,000 people in 2001.
- How does South Korea rank for suicide rate, by age?
- South Korea ranks 22nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide rate, by age rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South 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 age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from self-harm among both sexes aged 20-24 year olds, per 100,000 people.