Unemployment Linked to Increased Suicide Risk Worldwide

Small, mostly single-country studies have shown the deleterious effects of unemployment on suicide risk. These researchers analyzed WHO mortality data and an International Monetary Fund economic outlook database for 2000–2011 to examine the effects of four economic indicators (unemployment, gross domestic product, growth rate, and inflation) on suicide rates across 63 countries, four age groups, and both sexes.

The investigators tried both linear and nonlinear models with and without various time lags. A nonlinear, 6-month time-lagged model gave the best fit, with suicide rates increasing 6 months before increases in unemployment rates. The effects were greatest when baseline unemployment rates were low. Suicide rates associated with heighte…