A structured review was done of the published information on the mortality of schizophrenia. 28% of the excess mortality is attributable to suicide. The standard mortality ratio for suicide was significantly higher among men than among women. Suicide rates increased throughout the course of schizophrenia but were highest in the year after diagnosis. It is noted that the true rate of suicide in this population is probably higher due to the misclassification of accidental & undetermined deaths.