The important epidemiological & demographic aspects of late life suicide are discussed. Population statistics provide the background for the study of suicide, & for clinical work with suicidal people, by defining demographic risk factors. Statistics may be used: 1) to target resources, 2) to define research questions, 3) to help define factors which decrease suicide risk & 4) to do cross-cultural comparisons to identify sociocultural factors which heighten, or lessen, suicide risk. (0 refs.)