Lower education linked to higher suicide rates in South Korea

A new study has found a strong connection between education levels and suicide rates in South Korea. The research highlights that young men aged 30 to 44 with only an elementary education have suicide rates 6.1 to 13 times higher than those with a university degree. This study covered data from 1995 to 2020. In 2015, the suicide rate for these men was 288.2 per 100,000 people, dropping slightly to 251.4 in 2020. These figures are almost ten times the national average of 27.3. The rates are also higher than those seen in some communities known for high suicide rates, such as Nunavut in Canada and the Guarani Kaiowa people in Brazil. The study's lead researcher, Professor Myung Ki, emphasizes that suicide is often linked to socioeconomic status. He argues that it reflects deeper social inequalities, relating to the “deaths of despair” theory that suggests economic hardship can lead to increased suicide risk. Professor Ki stresses that suicide should not be viewed only as a mental health issue, but rather as an outcome of social inequalities and economic challenges. He advocates for comprehensive policies that address both mental health and social issues like poverty. Although South Korea has improved access to psychological support programs, Professor Ki believes stronger measures are needed to tackle the underlying social factors leading to suicide. He calls for recognition of these efforts as vital support for vulnerable populations. The findings were published in the journal *Social Science & Medicine*.