Lexi Webster
Suicide is a significant issue in Australia, affecting individuals, families, and communities. It is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-49, with an estimated 54,000 suicide attempts made each year. In 2023, there were 3,214 deaths by suicide, with a median age of 45.5 years. Suicide rates vary across demographics, with males, rural and regional dwellers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing higher rates. The issue of suicide in Australia is complex and multifaceted, impacting various age groups and communities differently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of suicides in Australia in 2023 | 3,214 (2,419 males and 795 females) |
| Age-standardised suicide rate in 2023 | 11.8 deaths per 100,000 people |
| Median age of death by suicide in 2023 | 45.5 years (45.8 years for males and 44.4 years for females) |
| Percentage of people with identified risk factors | 83.3% |
| Leading cause of death for | Australians aged 15-49 years |
| Suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | 20% higher between 2014-2018 and 2019-2023 |
| Median age of death by suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | 33.0 years (35.1 years for males and 27.9 years for females) |
| Number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who died by suicide in 2023 | 275 |
| Percentage of Australians who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours | 16.7% (3.3 million people) |
| Number of Australians aged 5-17 years who died by suicide in 2022 | 94 |
| Suicide rate for children aged 14-17 years | 82 deaths (out of a total of 100 child suicides) |
| State/Territory with the highest age-standardised rate of deaths by suicide | Northern Territory (17.0 per 100,000) |
| Suicide rate in regional Australia in 2023 | 15.5 deaths per 100,000 |
| Suicide rate in capital cities in 2023 | 10.0 deaths per 100,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The high suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities reflect the deep-rooted impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and ongoing social disadvantage. Suicide prevention strategies must address these underlying factors and be culturally informed, focusing on social and emotional well-being, including mind, body, community, and cultural connections. Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to lead their own mental health initiatives and providing sustained government support are crucial steps toward reducing suicide rates.
Data collection and accuracy are important considerations when examining suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Improvements in identifying Indigenous status in death data may contribute to the observed increase in suicide rates. However, under-identification and data quality issues remain prevalent, particularly regarding the Indigenous status of individuals and the size and structure of the First Nations population over time. These factors can impact the reliability and interpretation of suicide statistics for these communities.
Suicide among First Nations people is considered a post-colonization phenomenon that markedly increased in prevalence from the 1960s. It contributes to premature mortality, especially in younger age groups. In 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and the eighth for women. From 2014 to 2023, the suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people increased by 20%, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies.
To address the high suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, a multi-sectoral approach is necessary. This includes collaboration between health, education, employment, welfare agencies, law enforcement, housing providers, and non-government organizations. By working together and incorporating cultural perspectives, we can empower communities, strengthen their connection to culture, and promote healing.
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Suicide rates for Australians aged 15-44
Suicide is a leading cause of death for Australians aged 15–44. In 2022, 3,249 Australians died by suicide, an increase from 3,166 in 2021. This represents an age-standardised suicide death rate of 12.3 per 100,000 people, a slight increase from 12.1 in 2021. The median age of death by suicide was 45.6 years, compared to 82.2 years for all causes of death.
For Australians aged 15–24, suicide is the leading cause of death. In 2020, 454 young people aged 15–24 died by suicide, decreasing to 402 in 2021. This represents a rate of 13.0 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people in 2020. The median age of death by suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia was 33.0 years, more than a decade younger than the median age of death by suicide for the general population.
Risk factors for suicide among men of all ages include mood disorders (34.9%), problems in spousal relationship circumstances (26.6%), and suicide ideation (24.6%). Problems in spousal relationships were the top risk factor for men aged 25–44, including separation, divorce, arguments, and domestic violence situations (36.1%). For women of all ages, the top risk factors were mood disorders (43.3%–44.9%), personal history of self-harm (32.5%–34.0%), and suicide ideation (28.8%–34.3%).
In 2022, 94 children (Australians aged 5–17 years) died by suicide, accounting for 18.5% of all child deaths. The suicide rate for children was 2.2 per 100,000, with males having a higher rate of 2.4 per 100,000 and females at 2.0 per 100,000. Over 87% of children who died by suicide were aged 14–17 years. Loneliness and social isolation, relationship and family pressures, and financial stress are common experiences that contribute to emotional distress and suicidal thoughts.
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Suicide risk factors
Suicide is rarely caused by a single event or circumstance. Instead, it is often the result of a combination of stressors and health issues that converge to create an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and despair. While suicide can affect anyone, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of an individual attempting suicide.
Mental Health Disorders
Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it often goes undiagnosed or untreated. Other mental health disorders that increase the risk of suicide include bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Those with a history of suicidal behaviour, particularly recent behaviour, are also at a heightened risk of suicide.
Substance Use
Substance use is the second most common risk factor for suicide. Alcohol misuse or dependence increases the risk tenfold, with alcohol intoxication involved in 22% of suicide deaths and 30-40% of suicide attempts in the U.S. Opiates are present in 20% of suicides, while injection drug use increases the risk of suicide fourteen-fold.
Gambling Disorder
Problem gambling and gambling disorder are unique risk factors because, unlike substance addiction, an individual can continue to gamble as long as they have the financial means to do so. Gambling disorders are easily hidden, and the accessibility and lack of visible signs of impairment contribute to the increased risk of suicide among gamblers. In fact, one in five problem gamblers has attempted or completed suicide.
Social Isolation
Feeling connected to others can protect against suicide. Conversely, loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of suicide. Financial stress, relationship issues, and family pressures can also contribute to emotional distress and increase the risk of suicide.
While these are some of the common risk factors for suicide, it is important to recognize that suicide is complex and multifaceted. Understanding these risk factors can help identify warning signs and provide support to those who may be at risk.
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Suicide rates in rural Australia
Suicide is a leading cause of death in Australia, particularly among those aged 15-44. While the exact number of suicide attempts in Australia each year is unknown, estimates suggest that more than 54,000 Australians may attempt suicide.
In 2023, the age-standardised suicide rate in Australia was 18.9 per 100,000 people. This rate is higher in rural areas, with a rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 outside capital cities, compared to 10.0 deaths per 100,000 in capital cities. The rate in rural areas has decreased from 16.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.
The suicide rate in rural Australia is higher than in major cities, and this disparity increases with remoteness. From 2010 to 2015, the annual suicide rate for the rural non-Indigenous population in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania was 12.7 deaths per 100,000 people, 11.4% higher than the national Australian rate for the same period. This rate increased with remoteness, from 12.5 deaths per 100,000 in inner regional areas to 14.0 deaths per 100,000 in remote and very remote areas.
The higher suicide rates in rural areas may be due to decreased diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, especially in men. The availability of mental health specialists is often more limited in remote areas, and socio-demographic factors may also play a role in lower mental health diagnoses and treatment rates.
The suicide rate in rural Australia is particularly high among young people aged 15-24 (21.8 per 100,000) and older people aged 75-84 (30.7 per 100,000). These rates are significantly higher than the national suicide rates for these age groups.
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Suicide rates by gender
Suicide rates in Australia are much higher among males than females. In 2023, 2,419 men died by suicide, compared to 795 women. This equates to 18.0 deaths per 100,000 men and 5.8 per 100,000 women. The suicide rate for men is three to four times greater than for women. In 2019, the standardised suicide rate for males was 20.1 deaths per 100,000, while for females, it was 6.3 deaths per 100,000.
Men aged 55-59 have the highest male age-specific suicide rate, at 30.9 per 100,000. The median age of death by suicide across Australia is 45.5 years, but for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is more than a decade younger, at 33.0 years. The suicide rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 2.5-2.6 times higher than for non-Indigenous Australians. The rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men was 48.5 per 100,000 in 2023.
In 2022, 94 Australian children aged 5-17 died by suicide, with a rate of 2.2 per 100,000 children. Males had a suicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 children (53 deaths), while females had a rate of 2.0 per 100,000 (41 deaths).
While suicide rates for both males and females have generally decreased since the mid-90s, with an overall decrease of 23% between 1999 and 2009, certain groups of young adults are still more likely to die by suicide. Youth of Indigenous, rural, or refugee backgrounds, as well as those in welfare, are more likely to die by suicide, with young males at higher risk than females.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, there were 3,214 deaths by suicide in Australia. This number is preliminary and expected to increase as coronial investigations are finalised.
The age-standardised suicide rate in 2023 was 11.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
The median age of death by suicide in Australia is 45.5 years. This is over a decade younger than the median age of death by suicide for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, which is 33.0 years.
It is estimated that more than 54,000 Australians attempt suicide each year. Additionally, 1 in 6 Australians (around 3.3 million people) have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours in their lifetime, and 3.3% have experienced these thoughts or behaviours in the previous 12 months.
