site.btaDeaths by suicide in EU Down 13% in Decade, Bulgaria 21st for Suicide Rate in 2021

In 2021, there were 47,346 deaths due to suicide in the EU, corresponding to 0.9% of all deaths reported that year. Compared with 2011, the first year for which there is data, the number of deaths by suicide decreased by 13.3%, show Eurostat data released on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10. 

Among EU countries, Bulgaria ranked 21st in 2021 with a standardised suicide rate of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest rate was registered in Slovenia, 19.8 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants, and the lowest was observed in Cyprus, 2.7 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants.

In 2021 similarly to previous years, the suicide rate was higher among men than women, with men accounting for 76.7% of all deaths by suicide.

The highest number of suicide deaths in the EU was recorded in the 45 to 64 age group, accounting for 37% of the total, followed by the 65 and over age group with 34% of the total.