Every year, 7.2 lakh plus individuals end their lives worldwide, according to WHO. A large share of deaths are those between 15 and 29 years. WHO and a 2025 USNews report highlight the countries with the worst rates
This small nation, entirely surrounded by South Africa, recorded the world’s most alarming suicide figures according to WHO in 2024 -- 87.5 per 100,000 population. The reasons are myriad -- gender-based violence, unemployment, alcohol, drugs, depression due to death of a dear one.
The southern African kingdom, once called Swaziland, reported the world’s second most severe suicide numbers in 2021 due to financial or relationship problems -- 31.8 per 100,000 population and higher since.
Situated on the northern coast of South America beside Venezuela, Guyana recorded the globe’s third most alarming suicide level in 2021 according to WHO -- 26.3 per 100,000 population.
Ranking fourth worldwide, Zimbabwe faces a severe mental health gap, with roughly one psychiatrist available for nearly 1.5 crore people and suicide rates of 25.4 per 100,000 population.
This isolated Pacific chain of islands shared the fifth spot globally for suicide rates in 2021-- 22.5 per 100,000 population.
The South American nation was also in fifth place globally for suicide numbers -- 22.5 per 100,000 population.
In 2021, Uruguay stood seventh worldwide for the most elevated suicide figures -- 22.0 per 100,000 population. Other countires with high suicide rates according to World Population Review's 2021 stats are Greenland, Russia, Lithuania.