Suicide in South Korea
statistics and causes of suicide in South Korea
South Korea had the 8th highest suicide rate in the world in 2021, and the highest among OECD countries. The elderly in South Korea are at the highest risk of suicide, but deaths from teen suicide have been rising since 2010, and in 2025, suicide became the leading cause of death for South Koreans aged in their 40s, surpassing deaths from cancer. In 2022, suicide caused more than half of all deaths among South Koreans in their twenties. It is the leading cause of death for those between the age of 10 and 39.
Relative poverty among senior citizens in South Korea, although declining since 2011, has contributed to their high rate of suicide. Because of a poorly-funded social safety net for the elderly, many choose to take their own life so as not to be a financial burden to their families. The social tradition of children looking after their parents in old age has largely disappeared in 21st century South Korea. Rural residents tend to have higher suicide rates due to self-reported high rates of elderly discrimination. For example, 85.7% of people in their 50s reported experiencing ageism, especially when applying for jobs. Poverty, age discrimination, and suicide often occur together.
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