Patterns & trends in suicide mortality in 57 countries (28 European, the former Soviet Union, Canada, USA, 14 Latin American, 8 from Asia & 2 from Africa, Australia & Oceania) for the period 1955-89 were analyzed. From 1985-1989, Hungary had the highest suicide rate for men, followed by Sri Lanka. For women, the highest rate was in Sri Lanka, followed by Hungary. With respect to trends over time, rates were lower in less developed areas of the world, with the major exception of Sri Lanka.