Men die by suicide at a significantly higher rate than women across the globe, often by a ratio of three to four times more frequently in countries like the US and the UK. In the United States, there are roughly four times as many male suicides as female suicides, with men accounting for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths.
Key Statistics (mostly US data from 2023)
Rate Disparity: The male suicide rate in the US in 2023 was approximately 22.8 per 100,000 males, compared to 5.9 per 100,000 females.
Total Numbers: In 2023, approximately 39,045 men died by suicide in the US.
Age Groups: In the US, suicide rates are highest among men aged 75 and older, followed by men aged 25-64. In England, males aged 50-54 had the highest rate in 2024.
Method: Firearms account for the majority of suicide deaths among men in the US (almost 60%), which is a major factor in the higher death rate compared to women's attempts, which more often involve methods with higher survival rates (e.g., poisoning).
Occupation and Education: Men without a bachelor's degree are more than twice as likely to die by suicide as men with degrees. Occupations with high rates for men include construction, installation/maintenance/repair, and farming/fishing/forestry.
Race/Ethnicity (US): Non-Hispanic White males and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native males have the highest suicide rates.
Global Context: Globally, more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, and male suicide rates are higher in virtually all countries. In 2021, the global male suicide rate was 12.3 per 100,000, more than double the female rate of 5.9 per 100,000.
Key Factor
Though women report having serious thoughts of suicide more often, men are more likely to die by suicide because they often use more lethal methods. Stigma around seeking help and differing social pressures are also considered contributing factors to the gender gap.