Suicide overtakes cancer as top cause of death among South Koreans in their 40s

Suicide has overtaken cancer as the main cause of death among South Koreans in their forties for the first time since records began in 1983, amid growing concerns that the country is facing a mental health crisis.

The country recorded 14,872 suicides last year – a 6.3 per cent rise from the previous year and the highest figure since 2011 – according to the latest “2024 Cause of Death Statistics” published by Statistics Korea on Thursday. That amounts to nearly 30 suicides per 100,000 people.

Overall, cancer was the top killer, accounting for about 25 per cent of total deaths. Cancer, along with heart disease and pneumonia, made up more than 42 per cent of total deaths. Suicide came in fifth at 4.1 per cent.

While suicide has long been the leading cause of death among teenagers and people under 30, it became the top cause of death among those in their forties for the first time in 2024. Of the 10,836 deaths recorded in that age group, 2,817 – or roughly 26 per cent – were suicides, according to The Korea Herald.

South Korea continues to have the highest suicide rate among member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

  

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