Suicide by Age

Between 2011 and 2020, suicide rates increased for those ages 15 to 24, 25 to 34, and 35 to 44.1

For the 45-to-54 age group, there was a steady rate and then a decline at about 2019. For those ages 55 to 64, there was a steady incline from 2011 and then a downward turn in 2018. The 65+ age group saw a steady rate until 2017 and then an upward incline until 2018, when it declined.1

In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 14, and adults ages 25 to 34. Suicide was the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24, the fourth leading cause of death for ages 35 to 44, and the seventh leading cause of death for ages 55 to 64. Although suicide has historically been among the top 10 leading causes of death, it was not in 2020.2

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2021). 1999-2020 Wide Ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research (WONDER), Multiple Cause of Death files [Data file]. Retrieved from https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (February 2022). Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars
The charts and graphs in this section are also available as a PowerPoint slide set. Feel free to use this slide set to deliver a presentation about the scope of the suicide problem.