For Over 20 Years, Suicide Has Been a Leading Cause of Death Among Young Indians
Share this article:
For the past twenty years, suicide has consistently ranked as one of the top two causes of death among India’s youth aged 15 to 29. Recent data from 2020-2022 reveals a troubling reality - one in every six deaths (17.1%) in this age group is due to suicide. While the World Health Organization (WHO) lists suicide as the third-leading cause of death globally for this age group, India’s numbers are particularly stark.
A Grim Contrast with National Trends
Across all age groups in India, suicide doesn’t even appear in the top 10 causes of death. The leading causes are cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections, and cancers. Yet among the young, suicide is the leading threat to life, closely followed by road accidents. This contradiction highlights how vulnerable India’s youth are to emotional and mental health struggles.
Women at Higher Risk, Though the Gap Is Narrowing
The share of suicides among young women remains slightly higher (18.2%) than among men (16.3%) in the 2020-22 period. However, this gender gap has narrowed over time. Back in 2010-13, the percentage of suicide deaths stood at 21.8% for women and 15% for men, suggesting a gradual but significant shift.
It’s also worth noting that the 15-29 age group contributes to only 5% of all deaths in India, making it all the more disturbing that suicide ranks so high within this small segment.
Heart Disease Replaces Accidental Injuries in Top Causes
"Cardiovascular diseases have displaced unintentional injuries (fall, drowning, animal bites, burns, complications of medical and surgical care etc) other than motor vehicle accidents in the top three causes." This change marks a notable shift in the patterns of young adult mortality, reflecting changing lifestyles and health issues.
The Burden of Emotional Distress
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) paints a clearer picture of what drives young people to such extreme decisions. The top reasons for suicide in the 18-30 age group include:
Within marriage-related suicides, dowry issues account for 28%, with an overwhelming 93% of these cases involving women - a grim reminder of ongoing gender-based pressures and abuse.
India’s Alarming Global Ranking
India has the highest absolute number of suicide deaths in this age group, with over 60,700 deaths. Given India’s massive youth population of around 345 million, this might seem proportional. But when compared to China’s 10,700 suicides (with a youth population of over 260 million), the difference is staggering - India’s suicide count is six times higher.
On a global scale, India ranks 10th among countries with the highest suicide rates, with a crude suicide rate of 15.7 per 100,000 population - higher than any of its neighbours. Uruguay, South Africa, and Russia top the global list.
The data is clear: suicide is not just a health issue; it is a national crisis among young Indians. Addressing this requires more than statistics - it calls for a nationwide movement focused on mental health awareness, emotional support systems, and policy interventions that can ease the overwhelming pressures faced by the youth.
A Grim Contrast with National Trends
Across all age groups in India, suicide doesn’t even appear in the top 10 causes of death. The leading causes are cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections, and cancers. Yet among the young, suicide is the leading threat to life, closely followed by road accidents. This contradiction highlights how vulnerable India’s youth are to emotional and mental health struggles.
Women at Higher Risk, Though the Gap Is Narrowing
The share of suicides among young women remains slightly higher (18.2%) than among men (16.3%) in the 2020-22 period. However, this gender gap has narrowed over time. Back in 2010-13, the percentage of suicide deaths stood at 21.8% for women and 15% for men, suggesting a gradual but significant shift.
It’s also worth noting that the 15-29 age group contributes to only 5% of all deaths in India, making it all the more disturbing that suicide ranks so high within this small segment.
Heart Disease Replaces Accidental Injuries in Top Causes
"Cardiovascular diseases have displaced unintentional injuries (fall, drowning, animal bites, burns, complications of medical and surgical care etc) other than motor vehicle accidents in the top three causes." This change marks a notable shift in the patterns of young adult mortality, reflecting changing lifestyles and health issues.
The Burden of Emotional Distress
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) paints a clearer picture of what drives young people to such extreme decisions. The top reasons for suicide in the 18-30 age group include:
- “Family problems” (32.4%)
- “Love affairs” (8%)
- “Marriage-related issues” (7.5%)
- “Insanity or mental illness” (7.4%)
- “Drug abuse” (5.2%)
Within marriage-related suicides, dowry issues account for 28%, with an overwhelming 93% of these cases involving women - a grim reminder of ongoing gender-based pressures and abuse.
India’s Alarming Global Ranking
India has the highest absolute number of suicide deaths in this age group, with over 60,700 deaths. Given India’s massive youth population of around 345 million, this might seem proportional. But when compared to China’s 10,700 suicides (with a youth population of over 260 million), the difference is staggering - India’s suicide count is six times higher.
On a global scale, India ranks 10th among countries with the highest suicide rates, with a crude suicide rate of 15.7 per 100,000 population - higher than any of its neighbours. Uruguay, South Africa, and Russia top the global list.
The data is clear: suicide is not just a health issue; it is a national crisis among young Indians. Addressing this requires more than statistics - it calls for a nationwide movement focused on mental health awareness, emotional support systems, and policy interventions that can ease the overwhelming pressures faced by the youth.
Next Story