Elderly Suicide Rates: Cross-National Comparisons and Association With sex and Elderly Age-Bands

Suicide rates for males & females in the age-bands 65-74 years & 75 & older were ascertained from the World Health Organization website for all the listed countries. Cross-national variations were examined by segregating different countries into 4 quartiles of elderly suicide rates. Suicide rates between males & females & between the 2 age-bands were compared across countries. Wide cross-national variation in elderly suicide rates was found. Suicide rates were higher in men compared to women for both the age bands. Rates were higher in those 75 years & older compared to those 65-74 years. Potential explanations are offered for these results. (44 refs.)