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6. Number of suicides has remained unchanged

In 2013, suicides were committed by 887 persons, which is 14 more than in the year before. The number of suicides was at its highest in 1990, when there were over 1,500 suicides in Finland. Since then, suicide mortality has decreased by over 40 per cent in twenty years.

Men's suicide mortality is much higher than women's. In 2013, suicide mortality or the number of suicides a year per 100,000 population was 16.3 (24.9 for men and 8.0 for women). Three quarters of suicides were committed by men.

Suicides are a central cause of death for young people. More than one-third of young people aged between 15 and 24 that died had committed suicides. The share of suicides in all causes of death for young people is high because other mortality among young people is so low. Of all persons that committed suicides, one in ten were young people aged under 25. The suicide mortality of young men has been declining in Finland in recent years. By contrast, there is no clear decrease visible in the suicide mortality of young women. Young people's suicide mortality in Finland is high by European comparison. According to Eurostat's statistics, suicide mortality among young people was higher than in Finland only in Lithuania and Latvia. By contrast, for persons aged 65 and over, suicide mortality in Finland did not differ from the EU average. Of those who committed suicides, one in five were aged over 65.

Figure 10. Suicide mortality 1970 to 2013

Source: Causes of death, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Airi Pajunen 029 551 3605, Jari Hellanto 029 551 3291, kuolemansyyt@stat.fi

Director in charge: Riitta Harala

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Updated 30.12.2014