Social and economic determinants of suicide: A panel data analysis of 15 European countries

This study is attempted to examine the economic and social determinants of suicide by employing panel data analysis of 15 European countries over the period 1991-2015. It also analyzes whether the effect of the determinants is different by age group and by gender to avoid unclearness of what kind of population is affected by the determinants. To test the robustness of the results of the study, sensitivity analysis based on the exclusion of any given country is conducted.  Empirical results of the study indicate that after controlling for country-specific time trends, Real GDP per capita is negatively correlated with suicide rate, and alcohol consumption and income inequality are positively associated with the suicide rate. Age groups and gender-specific results indicate that Real GDP is negatively correlated with suicide for females aged 55 and older and males in all age-groups. The results also suggest that female participation is positively associated with suicide rate for males aged 15-34 and females aged 3554, but negatively correlated with suicide rate for males aged 35-54. Furthermore, they report that alcohol consumption is positively related to the suicide rate for males aged 15-34 and 35-54, and females aged 15-34 and 55+. Lastly, they point out that income inequality is positively associated with the suicide rate for males in all age groups and females aged 55 and older.