Compares epidemiological, social & clinical characteristics of 259 male & 475 female attempted suicides in Hong Kong. The majority are young adults. Compared to males, females are more likely to be married or cohabiting, of higher socioeconomic status, born in places in the Far East apart from Mainland China, & of lower educational level. Male subjects are more often single, immigrants from Mainland China, & of lower socioeconomic status. Additional findings and implications are given. (23 ref)