Suicide trends by sex, age, and method in South Korea, 1983–2022: Joinpoint regression and age–period–cohort analyses
Journal
Journal of Affective Disorders
Journal Volume
392
Start Page
Article number 120105
ISSN
0165-0327
Date Issued
2026-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: South Korea has had among the highest suicide rates in high-income countries over the past two decades. We investigated long-term suicide trends by sex, age, and method and examined age, period, and cohort effects on suicide in South Korea in 1983-2022.
Methods: We extracted national mortality data for suicide among individuals aged 15+ years and calculated suicide rates by sex, age (15-24, 25-44, 45-64, and 65+), and method (hanging, pesticide poisoning, jumping, carbon monoxide [CO] poisoning, drowning, and others). Joinpoint regression was used to examine trends in suicide. Age-period-cohort analysis was performed to decompose the age, period, and birth cohort effects on suicide rates.
Results: Suicide rates rose markedly from the early 1990s, peaking around 2010, particularly among individuals aged 65+. Rates among males declined from the early 2010s, but rates among females showed no recent reduction. Suicide in young females aged 15-24 increased by 12.2% annually in 2015-2022. Hanging remained the most common method for most sex/age groups. Pesticide poisoning suicides showed a sustained reduction following the 2011-2012 paraquat ban. Jumping became prevalent among youths aged 15-24 after 2015-2016. CO poisoning suicide increased markedly after 2008, especially among males aged 25-64 years, while its rate stabilized after 2014. Females born after the early 1990s exhibited increased suicide risk.
Conclusions: The recent rise in suicide among young females is an emerging public health issue. High suicide rates of CO poisoning among middle-aged males remain a concern. Future research and prevention need to identify and address factors underlying these trends.
Subjects
Age-period-cohort analysis
Epidemiology
Joinpoint regression
South Korea
Suicide
Suicide method
Suicide trend
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article