Kyung Hee University Analyzes Changes in Suicide Rates and 2050 Projections Using WHO Statistics

Global Suicide Trends and Future Risk Analysis

Professor Donggun Yeon's research team at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine analyzed changes in suicide mortality rates over the past 30 years and presented projections through 2050, based on death statistics from 102 countries collected by the World Health Organization (WHO).

(From left) Soeun Kim, Researcher at Kyung Hee University; Serin Woo, Research Professor; Dongun Yeon, Professor. Kyung Hee University

The results of this study were published in 'Nature Mental Health,' the leading journal in the field of mental health.

The research team tracked and analyzed suicide mortality rates from 1990 to 2021. The results showed an approximately 30% decrease worldwide.

The suicide mortality rate, which was 10.3 per 100,000 people in 1990, dropped to 7.2 in 2021. The decrease was observed in both men and women; however, men continued to have a suicide rate about 3.5 times higher than women.

There were also clear regional differences. While some countries in Europe and Asia saw significant decreases in suicide rates, certain countries in the Americas experienced increases.

The research team explained, "The reduction in suicide rates in some European and Asian countries was achieved through policy and social efforts," adding, "This demonstrates that suicide is not simply a universal issue, but is deeply connected to the social and cultural context of each region."

The team applied a 'Bayesian-based future prediction model,' which combines prior information and new data to infer the probability of new or unknown events.

Professor Yeondong Geon’s research team at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine analyzed changes in suicide mortality rates over the past 30 years using World Health Organization death statistics from 102 countries. Kyung Hee University

According to the analysis, by 2050, the global average suicide mortality rate is projected to decrease to 6.5 per 100,000 people. However, a more detailed analysis revealed that young people, especially those under the age of 25, will be at the highest risk.

This suggests that burdens unique to this generation, such as academic stress, difficulty finding employment, and economic instability, have a significant impact on suicide risk.

In particular, the research team emphasized the need for a 'policy shift focusing on vulnerable groups.' Professor Yeon stated, "International cooperation has helped halt the increase in suicides, but it is still essential to establish personalized national strategies, especially for vulnerable groups and regions with weak social safety nets."

This study was a collaborative achievement involving multinational researchers, including teams from Kyung Hee University, Korea University, and Harvard Medical School.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.