New Delhi: According to a new report, student suicides in India are rising at a disturbing rate, far outpacing both population growth and overall suicide trends. The report, titled “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India,” was released on Wednesday during the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.
Drawing on data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the report highlights that while overall suicide rates in India have increased by 2% annually, the rate of student suicides has surged by 4%. The report also suggests these figures may be underreported, indicating a potentially even more severe issue.
The rate of student suicides has consistently outpaced both population growth and overall suicide trends. Over the past decade, while the population of individuals aged 0-24 decreased from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides rose sharply from 6,654 to 13,044,” the report stated.
One in seven young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in India experiences poor mental health, including symptoms of depression and disinterest. Shockingly, only 41% of those surveyed felt the need to seek support when dealing with mental health challenges.” UNICEF Report, The State of the World’s Children.
Last year, the IC3 Institute released the first report on student suicides, revealing that over 13,000 students died by suicide annually in India. This alarming trend persists. In response, the IC3 Institute established a task force dedicated to strategic leadership in student mental health.
1. In 2022, there were 13,044 reported student suicides compared to 13,089 in 2021, representing an insignificant decrease in Y-O-Y.
2. In comparison, total suicides (students and other people) increased by 4.2 per cent, from 164,033 in 2021 to 170,924 in 2022.
3. Over the last 10 and 20 years, total suicides increased 2 per cent annually on average while student suicides increased 4 per cent – i.e. 2X that of total suicides.
4. Student suicides are 7.6 per cent of the total suicides, similar to that of many other professions such as salaried persons, farmers, unemployed persons, and self-employed persons.
5. Gender-wise, male student suicides are higher than female student suicide counts. Male student suicides increased 50 percent while female student suicides increased by 61 percent over the last 10 years. Both male and female students have increased by 5 percent annually on average over the last five years.
Indian states with the highest suicide rates
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh remain the three highest states. These three states include one-third of the country’s total student suicide count.
- Uttar Pradesh, with the largest population amongst all states in India, now features among the five states with the highest student suicide rates, perhaps indicating improved reporting processes
- Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand counts indicate high YoY increases in student suicides; 14 per cent and 15 per cent respectively
- Rajasthan, with the infamous Kota coaching city, is ranked tenth with 571 student suicides
- The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds was reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044. Over the last two decades, both male and female student suicides continue to have experienced substantial percentage increases, particularly evident when observing the data in five-year intervals.
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