Determinants of Suicide Rates in Developing Countries – an Econometric Investigation of the Indian Case

The determinants of suicide rates in developing countries are examined by looking at the incidence of suicide in the various states of India. A thorough analysis of socioeconomic factors affecting suicide rates was conducted by Durkheim towards the end of the 19th century & recently by Helliwell among others. No comparable work has been done in developing countries. A big difference found in this study & the studies in developed countries is that neither literacy nor the level of urbanization nor unemployment rates turn out to be significant determinants of suicide rates. Per capita income was a significant & positive determinant of suicide rates in both sets of studies. (14 refs.)