Fewer suicide deaths in 2018
In 2018, altogether 1,829 people in the Netherlands took their own lives, which is 88 fewer than in 2017. The number of suicides declined among young people aged 10 to 19 years, from 81 in 2017 to 51 in 2018. The number went up slightly among persons aged 20 to 39 years and among female residents.
| Men (per 100 thousand inhabitants) | Women (per 100 thousand inhabitants) | Total (per 100 thousand inhabitants) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 14.20 | 8.30 | 11.20 |
| 1971 | 13.90 | 9.00 | 11.50 |
| 1972 | 14.10 | 8.40 | 11.20 |
| 1973 | 13.40 | 9.50 | 11.40 |
| 1974 | 14.90 | 9.50 | 12.10 |
| 1975 | 14.40 | 8.90 | 11.50 |
| 1976 | 15.70 | 8.70 | 12.10 |
| 1977 | 14.90 | 8.60 | 11.60 |
| 1978 | 14.10 | 10.10 | 12.00 |
| 1979 | 15.10 | 11.20 | 13.10 |
| 1980 | 16.10 | 8.90 | 12.30 |
| 1981 | 15.30 | 9.40 | 12.20 |
| 1982 | 16.40 | 10.10 | 13.00 |
| 1983 | 18.00 | 11.30 | 14.40 |
| 1984 | 18.30 | 11.20 | 14.60 |
| 1985 | 17.10 | 9.20 | 12.90 |
| 1986 | 16.60 | 9.20 | 12.60 |
| 1987 | 16.00 | 9.40 | 12.40 |
| 1988 | 15.40 | 8.50 | 11.70 |
| 1989 | 14.50 | 8.50 | 11.30 |
| 1990 | 13.60 | 7.90 | 10.60 |
| 1991 | 15.60 | 8.20 | 11.60 |
| 1992 | 15.40 | 7.70 | 11.30 |
| 1993 | 14.70 | 7.40 | 10.90 |
| 1994 | 15.50 | 6.80 | 10.90 |
| 1995 | 13.90 | 7.00 | 10.30 |
| 1996 | 14.50 | 7.30 | 10.70 |
| 1997 | 14.40 | 7.00 | 10.50 |
| 1998 | 13.70 | 6.90 | 10.10 |
| 1999 | 13.80 | 6.60 | 10.00 |
| 2000 | 13.50 | 6.60 | 9.90 |
| 2001 | 13.30 | 5.90 | 9.50 |
| 2002 | 13.60 | 6.50 | 9.90 |
| 2003 | 13.10 | 6.30 | 9.60 |
| 2004 | 13.10 | 6.20 | 9.50 |
| 2005 | 13.70 | 6.20 | 9.80 |
| 2006 | 13.50 | 5.90 | 9.60 |
| 2007 | 11.80 | 5.00 | 8.40 |
| 2008 | 12.30 | 5.50 | 8.80 |
| 2009 | 13.10 | 5.60 | 9.30 |
| 2010 | 13.90 | 5.70 | 9.70 |
| 2011 | 13.90 | 6.10 | 10.00 |
| 2012 | 14.40 | 6.80 | 10.50 |
| 2013 | 15.80 | 6.60 | 11.10 |
| 2014 | 15.10 | 7.00 | 11.00 |
| 2015 | 15.40 | 7.00 | 11.10 |
| 2016 | 15.20 | 7.20 | 11.20 |
| 2017 | 15.40 | 7.10 | 11.20 |
| 2018 | 13.70 | 7.50 | 10.60 |
At 10.6 suicides per 100 thousand residents, last year’s suicide rate fell back to the same level as in 2012. The highest suicide rates were recorded in the early 1980s (14.5 per 100 thousand residents) while the lowest rate was in 2007 at 8.4 per 100 thousand residents.
Fewer suicide deaths among young people and 40 to 59-year-old men
The number of suicides declined among young people under the age of 20, from 81 in 2017 to 51 in 2018. This means the number of suicides among young people returned to similar levels as recorded previously, following a slight increase in 2017. Among 20 to 39-year-olds, the number of suicide deaths rose from 400 in 2017 to 464 in 2018.
As for 40 to 59-year-olds, there were 12 percent fewer suicide deaths in 2018 relative to the previous year. The number of suicides only declined among men in this age group, namely by 20 percent: from 581 in 2017 to 469 in 2018.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 20 yrs | 48 | 81 | 51 |
| 20 to 39 yrs | 415 | 400 | 464 |
| 40 to 59 yrs | 784 | 829 | 730 |
| 60 to 79 yrs | 523 | 495 | 475 |
| 80 yrs and over | 124 | 112 | 109 |
Do you need help?
You can call 113 Suicide prevention at 0900 0113 (available 24/7) or go to www.113.nl/english.
Related items
- Customised table - Suicide deaths 2018 (Dutch only)