Lexi Webster
Suicide rates in Australia have been fluctuating in recent years, with a slight increase in the number of suicides from 2020 to 2022. While the suicide rate for children has increased since 2022, it remains lower than the rates in 2019-2021. The impact of the pandemic, natural disasters, and financial pressures have been cited as contributing factors to the rising suicide rates. Suicide prevention groups have urged for prompt data release and systemic reforms to address this issue. Suicide is a significant concern in Australia, with approximately 3,000 suicides occurring each year, making it the leading cause of death for young people and those aged 15 to 49. The median age of death by suicide is 45.6 years, and males are three times more likely to take their own lives than females. The suicide rate among young First Nations people is three times higher than that of young non-Indigenous Australians. These statistics highlight the critical importance of suicide prevention initiatives and support services in Australia.
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What You'll Learn
Suicide rates among Indigenous Australians
In 2022, the age-standardised suicide rate among First Nations people was 29.9 per 100,000, with 212 deaths recorded. Suicide was the fifth leading cause of death for First Nations people and the leading cause for those aged 15–44 years. It is important to note that data from individual age groups can fluctuate and should be interpreted with caution.
The rate of suicide among young First Nations people is three times that of young non-Indigenous Australians. From 2014 to 2018, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children accounted for almost a quarter of all child suicide deaths, with an age-specific death rate of 8.3 per 100,000, compared to 2.1 per 100,000 for non-Indigenous children.
The high suicide rate among Indigenous Australians is attributed to various factors, including poverty, trauma, colonisation, racism, and poor living conditions. Suicide researcher Gerry Georgatos suggests that reducing Aboriginal poverty could significantly lower suicide rates, as very few Aboriginal people living above the poverty line take their own lives.
Additionally, reconnecting with traditional lands and bridging the gap between youth and Elders to restore respect for culture and community empowerment are proposed as strategies to address the high suicide rates among Indigenous Australians.
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Suicide rates by state
Suicide rates in Australia vary across states and territories, with several demographic factors influencing these rates. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides data on suicide rates at the national, state, and territory levels, including information on sex, age groups, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status.
In 2022, the Northern Territory (NT) had the highest age-standardised rate of deaths by suicide at 17.0 per 100,000. All states except Western Australia (WA) and Tasmania experienced decreases in suicide rates between 2022 and 2023. Regional areas outside capital cities also had higher age-standardised rates of death by suicide at 15.5 per 100,000 compared to 10.0 in capital cities in 2023.
The median age of death by suicide in Australia is 45.5 years, with males having a higher median age of 45.8 years compared to 44.4 years for females. However, males aged 85 and older experience the highest age-specific suicide rate. In 2019, the suicide rate for males was 20.1 per 100,000, while for females, it was 6.3 per 100,000. The rate for females aged 50-54 was 10.0 per 100,000, making it the highest age-specific suicide rate for women.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the median age of death by suicide was 33.0 years, with a higher rate for males (35.1 years) compared to females (27.9 years). The suicide rate for this demographic group has increased over time, with an 18% rise between 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, and a 20% increase between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and the eighth for women.
While preliminary data for 2023 is available, the suicide counts are expected to change as the data is revised, providing more accurate insights into demographic profiles and risk factors.
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Suicide rates by gender
Suicide rates in Australia have been increasing overall, with the age-standardised suicide rate per 100,000 people increasing by 10% between 2013 and 2022. However, the rate fluctuates between different population groups. Suicide rates are consistently higher among males than females, with males three times more likely to take their own lives. In 2022, there were 2,455 male deaths by suicide at a rate of 18.8 per 100,000, compared to 794 female deaths at a rate of 5.9 per 100,000. The highest male age-specific suicide rate was among men aged 55-59, at 30.9 per 100,000.
While the overall suicide rate has increased in recent years, the rates for males and females have generally decreased since the mid-1990s. The overall suicide rate decreased by 23% between 1999 and 2009, with male rates peaking in 1997 at 23.6 per 100,000 and decreasing to 14.9 per 100,000 in 2009. Female rates reached a high of 6.2 per 100,000 in 1997 and decreased to 4.5 per 100,000 in 2009. Since 2003, age-standardised rates of suicide have been stable for females, while there have been declines for young adult men and increases for middle-aged men. Middle and older-aged men continue to have suicide rates 4-6 times greater than females, and 2-3 times greater than teenage males.
Although males are more likely to die by suicide, females are more likely to attempt suicide or be hospitalised for intentional self-harm. In 2022-23, females accounted for two-thirds (66%) of intentional self-harm hospitalisations. Hospital data also shows that 62% of those hospitalised for self-harm during the 2008-2009 financial year were female. Researchers attribute the difference between attempted and completed suicides to males using more lethal means.
Suicide rates also vary significantly between different ethnic and regional groups. The suicide rate among First Nations people is three times that of non-Indigenous Australians, with the rate among young First Nations people aged 0-24 being 3.1 times higher. The suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is twice that of their non-Indigenous counterparts, and their suicide rate increased by 20% between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023. The median age of death by suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was 33.0 years, more than a decade younger than the median age of 45.5 years for the general population. People in rural populations are twice as likely to die by suicide, and certain groups of young adults, including those of Indigenous, rural, or refugee backgrounds, are at a higher risk of suicide.
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Suicide rates by age
Suicide rates in Australia vary significantly by age, with younger people experiencing higher rates of suicide than older people. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged between 15 and 44, with 83.3% of people who died by suicide being under 65 years old. The median age of death by suicide is 45.5 years, with males having a slightly higher median age of 45.8 years, and females 44.4 years.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, the median age of death by suicide is significantly lower at 33.0 years, with males having a median age of 35.1 years and females 27.9 years. The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is twice that of their non-Indigenous counterparts, and their rate of suicide increased by 20% between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023.
Females aged between 50 and 54 years had the highest age-specific suicide rate in Australia, with a rate of 10.0 deaths per 100,000 females. This accounted for 10.7% of female suicide deaths. For males, suicide rates increase substantially in middle and older age groups, with males in these age ranges having much higher suicide rates compared to other ages.
Suicide rates for children and young people in Australia have also been increasing. In 2022, there were 94 children (aged 5-17 years) who died by suicide, accounting for 18.5% of all child deaths. The suicide rate for children is higher for males, with a rate of 2.4 per 100,000, compared to 2.0 per 100,000 for females. Overall, the suicide rate for females in Australia appears to have decreased since 2022, but further revisions of the data are needed to confirm this.
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Suicide prevention
One key focus of suicide prevention in Australia is improving access to mental health services and support. Organisations like Lifeline Australia, the country's largest suicide prevention service provider, offer 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services through phone and text hotlines. They receive a call every 28 seconds, highlighting the demand for such services. Other initiatives include the establishment of Safe Havens and Safe Spaces across the country, providing alternatives to hospital emergency departments.
Community-based approaches are also vital. Aboriginal organisations are rolling out suicide prevention campaigns and training as part of holistic social and emotional wellbeing programs. Additionally, the Black Dog Institute's Lifespan trials, Australia's largest scientific suicide prevention research trial, is showing promising results.
There is also a need to address the specific needs of at-risk groups. For example, the LGBTIQ+ community has a significantly higher rate of suicide attempts, and males are three times more likely to take their own lives than females. By recognising these disparities, targeted interventions and support services can be developed.
Finally, there is a growing recognition of the importance of systemic reform and investment in frontline support. This includes calls for urgent political action and the implementation of preventative measures in the wake of significant events, such as the pandemic, which tend to precede increases in suicide rates.
The collective efforts of individuals, communities, and organisations are vital to turning the tide against suicide and ensuring that those in distress have access to the support they need.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's data shows that suicide rates are on the rise. In 2022, the age-standardised suicide rate increased to 12.3 per 100,000 people, up from 12.1 in 2021.
Various factors have been linked to the rise in suicide rates in Australia. One factor is the cumulative stress and financial pressures resulting from recent events such as the pandemic and natural disasters. Additionally, the impact of the pandemic may have a delayed effect, with historical trends indicating an increase in suicide rates two to three years after a major event.
Over the last decade, the age-standardised suicide rate per 100,000 people has increased by 10%, rising from 11.2 in 2013 to 12.3 in 2022. While the rate decreased slightly from 2019 to 2020, it has generally been on an upward trajectory.
The suicide rate varies across different demographics in Australia. For example, in 2022, the suicide rate for males was 18.8 per 100,000, while for females it was 5.9 per 100,000. The rate among young First Nations people is three times higher than that of young non-Indigenous Australians. Additionally, the suicide rate in remote and very remote areas of Australia is consistently higher than in regional areas and major cities.
Various initiatives are being implemented to tackle the rising suicide rates in Australia. These include the establishment of Safe Havens and Safe Spaces as alternatives to hospital emergency departments, and Aboriginal organisations rolling out suicide prevention campaigns and training as part of holistic social and emotional wellbeing programs. Additionally, the Black Dog Institute's Lifespan trials, Australia's largest scientific suicide prevention research trial, have shown promising results.
