Suicide rate among insured young people in Hong Kong surges to 25%, study finds

Suicide has become the leading cause of death among insured young people in Hong Kong, accounting for a quarter of all deaths in this group, a study on insurance claims has found, warning that term life policyholders are a high-risk group.

The Actuarial Society of Hong Kong announced on Tuesday that its research found the suicide rate among residents under 25 had risen from nine per cent in 2001 to 25 per cent in 2022, with the incidence higher than in other age groups.

The eight-year-long study, conducted between 2014 and 2021, analysed more than 105,000 death claims from 13 insurance companies, including AIA, Manulife and Prudential, covering 94 per cent of the market.

Orchis Li Tzy-Lan, a member of the society’s public policy committee, said the suicide rate among young adults and teenagers had increased from a single-digit figure to 25 per cent in men and 23 per cent in women in their latest studies.

“When categorised by age bands, suicide cases made up 31 per cent of claims in those aged between 10 and 29, which is not seen in other groups,” said Li.

Li flagged three groups as high-risk: men, youths, and term life policyholders.