Sex-Specific Suicide Trends and Patterns among Older Adults in East Asia: A Comparative Analysis of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan

Klarriness Tanalgo , University of St Andrews
Chia Liu, University of St Andrews
Fernando Benitez-Paez, University of St Andrews

Suicide remains a leading but preventable cause of death worldwide, claiming over 720,000 lives annually (WHO, 2025). While global suicide rates are highest among middle-aged men, older adults in East Asia – particularly Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan – exhibit elevated rates. This study examines temporal changes in suicide among adults aged 60+, focusing on sex-specific trends and cross-national differences. Using data from Statistics Korea, the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Human Mortality Database for Japan, we analyse years 2008–2021 for comparability across data sources. Age- and sex-specific mortality rates were calculated and age-standardised to the WHO World Standard Population. Trends were analysed using joinpoint regression to identify statistically significant shifts, estimating Annual Percent Change (APC) and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC). Older-age suicide rates declined in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, consistent with global trends. However, rates fell at different speeds: declines were faster for females than males in South Korea and Taiwan, but the opposite pattern was observed in Japan. Magnitude also varied; for instance, female rates in South Korea declined about 5% per year, whereas male rates declined more slowly (AAPC = 2.1%). Interestingly, these declines in South Korea coincided with expanding national suicide prevention efforts. Further analysis will examine whether declines in Japan and Taiwan are linked to their respective socio-economic policies. This study provides cross-national evidence on the often-overlooked phenomenon of older-age suicide in East Asia, a region of high suicide rates, contributing to comparative demographic research on population ageing and well-being.

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 Presented in Session P6. Health, Mortality, and Ageing 2