| According to official [[statistics]], about a million people die by suicide annually, more than those murdered or killed in war.[8] According to 2005 data, suicides in the U.S. outnumber homicides by nearly 2 to 1 and ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the country, ahead of liver disease and Parkinson's disease.[9] Worldwide suicide rates have increased by 60% in the past 50 years, mainly in the developing countries. Most suicides in the world occur in Asia, which is estimated to account for up to 60% of all suicides. According to the World Health Organization, China, India and Japan may account for 40% of all world suicides.[10] In the United States, for example, the rate of suicide is increasing for the first time in a decade. The increase in the overall suicide rate between 1999 and 2005 has been due primarily to an increase in suicides among whites aged 40–64, with white middle-aged women experiencing the largest annual increase.[11] | | According to official [[statistics]], about a million people die by suicide annually, more than those murdered or killed in war.[8] According to 2005 data, suicides in the U.S. outnumber homicides by nearly 2 to 1 and ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the country, ahead of liver disease and Parkinson's disease.[9] Worldwide suicide rates have increased by 60% in the past 50 years, mainly in the developing countries. Most suicides in the world occur in Asia, which is estimated to account for up to 60% of all suicides. According to the World Health Organization, China, India and Japan may account for 40% of all world suicides.[10] In the United States, for example, the rate of suicide is increasing for the first time in a decade. The increase in the overall suicide rate between 1999 and 2005 has been due primarily to an increase in suicides among whites aged 40–64, with white middle-aged women experiencing the largest annual increase.[11] |
| In the Western world, males die much more often by means of suicide than do females, although females attempt suicide more often. This [[pattern]] has held for at least a century. Some medical professionals believe this stems from the [[fact]] that males are more likely to end their lives through effective [[violent]] means (guns, knives, hanging, etc.), while women primarily use less severe methods such as overdosing on medications. | | In the Western world, males die much more often by means of suicide than do females, although females attempt suicide more often. This [[pattern]] has held for at least a century. Some medical professionals believe this stems from the [[fact]] that males are more likely to end their lives through effective [[violent]] means (guns, knives, hanging, etc.), while women primarily use less severe methods such as overdosing on medications. |
| National suicide rates differ significantly between countries and amongst ethnic groups within countries.[12] For example, in the USA, non-Hispanic Caucasians are nearly 2.5 times more likely to kill themselves than are African Americans or Hispanics.[13] In the United Kingdom suicide rates vary significantly between different parts of the country. In Scotland, for example the suicide rate is approximately double that of England.[14] | | National suicide rates differ significantly between countries and amongst ethnic groups within countries.[12] For example, in the USA, non-Hispanic Caucasians are nearly 2.5 times more likely to kill themselves than are African Americans or Hispanics.[13] In the United Kingdom suicide rates vary significantly between different parts of the country. In Scotland, for example the suicide rate is approximately double that of England.[14] |