For 2 decades, suicide among top 2 causes of death of young Indians

Suicide remains among the top two causes of death among youth (15-29 years) in India over the last two decades, an analysis of cause of death reports shows. In 2020-22, suicides accounted for one in six deaths (17.1%) in this age group. Globally, suicide is the third most common cause of deaths in this age group, according to the WHO.

In the list of top 10 causes of death for all ages, suicide doesn't figure. Cardiovascular diseases is on top of the list, followed by respiratory infections and cancers. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, it is the young who are more prone to death by suicide.


The share of suicides in total deaths in the 15-29 age group remained higher among women (18.2%) in 2020-22 than among men (16.3%), but it has fallen over the years, closing the gap significantly. In 2010-13, the share of suicides was 21.8% for women and 15% for men.

The 15-29 age group accounts for only 5% of all deaths in India according to the latest cause of death report of the office of registrar general of India, which pertains to the 2020-22 period.

What is shocking is that taking their own life is the greatest danger for young people in this period, followed by road accidents.