In a recent interview, we addressed the concerning increase in South Korea’s suicide rate, which has jumped by 8.5% and reached its highest level in nine years, as reported by the National Statistical Office. The latest mortality statistics for 2023 reveal that the suicide rate now stands at 27.3 per 100,000 people, matching the rate recorded in 2014. Experts believe this rise can be largely attributed to heightened feelings of social isolation and relative deprivation that have emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s statistics show an increase from last year’s rate of 25.2 per 100,000. There is a notable disparity in suicide rates between genders, with men at 38.3 and women at 16.5, reflecting increases of 8.4% for men and 9.0% for women.

In total, South Korea recorded 352,511 deaths in 2023, indicating a 5.5% decrease from the previous year. The leading cause of death remains cancer, accounting for 24.2% of all fatalities, followed by heart disease at 9.4% and pneumonia at 8.3%. Tragically, among these deceased, 13,978 individuals chose to end their lives, which represents 4% of the total deaths and ranks fifth among the leading causes of death.

Experts emphasize that post-pandemic, issues of social, economic, and cultural isolation have intensified, contributing to rising suicide rates. While these concerns were somewhat obscured during the pandemic—when everyone faced their own challenges—they have become more apparent as society transitions back to normal. A representative from the National Statistical Office commented, “Many people have reported experiencing a heightened sense of social isolation and relative deprivation after the pandemic, which likely plays a role in the increasing suicide figures.”

Particularly alarming is the data for individuals aged 60 to 69, who have seen a staggering 13.6% rise in their suicide rate, now at 30.7 per 100,000—the highest increase among all age groups. The 50 to 59 age demographic also shows a significant 12.1% increase, while those aged 40 to 49 and 30 to 39 experienced rises of 9.3% and 4.4%, respectively. Although the suicide rate for the 80 to 89 age group has decreased by 1.9% to 59.4, it still remains the highest across all age categories.