Regional Variation of Suicide Mortality in South Korea

Abstract

South Korea’s suicide rate is the highest among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This study seeks to verify regional variation in suicide rates in South Korea and to identify correlating factors. We used age-adjusted suicide rates for 252 administrative districts, and a Community Health Survey, national representative data, and other national representative data such as censuses were used to obtain information on socioeconomic, health related and social integration variables according to each administrative district. Regional variation in suicide rates was analyzed by using Extremal Quotient (EQ), and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations between variation in suicide rates and regional socioeconomic, public service factors and health related factors. The average suicide rate from 252 regions was 142.7 per 100,000 people. The highest region was Hongchun-gun (217.8) and the lowest was Gwachen-si (75.5). The EQ was 2.89, meaning that there is significant regional variation in suicide rates. Financial independence (β = −0.662, p < 0.001), social welfare budget (β = −0.754, p < 0.001) and divorce rates (β = 17.743, p < 0.001) were significant, along with other adjusted variables. This study suggests considering these factors in order to reduce suicide rates in South Korea.

Dynamic effect of economic growth on the persistence of suicide rates

“…A positive relationship was found between financial hardships (e.g., bankruptcy) and suicide attempts, especially among males. These two studies confirm the significant and positive impact of changes in the economic environment and factors on suicide attempts echoing the results published by Choi et al (2020) and Jung et al (2020). However, does relevance exist also between the suicide rate and economic growth rate?…”

The Relationship between the Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation among Older Adults and Individual · Regional Factors

“…A lower ratio of financial independence of the local government and a lower ratio of the social welfare budget to the total budge were associated with a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation. Similarly, in a previous study that analyzed regional characteristics influencing the suicide rate based on the administrative units of cities, counties, and districts, the financial independence of the local government (β=-.66, p <.001) and the social welfare budget (β= -.75, p<.001) were found to be significant influencing factors even after adjustment for other variables [21]. According to another previous study, a higher percentage of the National Basic Livelihood Security Program (BLSP) benefit recipients, a higher percentage of old-age pension beneficiaries [8], and a higher ratio of social welfare budget to the total budget of the local government were associated with a lower elderly suicide rate in the region, and the effects were found to be greater in rural areas than in urban areas [8].…”

Predicting Suicide in Counties: Creating a Quantitative Measure of Suicide Risk

“…Understanding suicide risk at the community level can provide valuable knowledge to proactively address rising suicide rates and create a framework for how to allocate resources to where they are most needed. While mental health resources are sporadic and increased risk will not inherently lead to more prevention efforts, it is nevertheless worth studying suicide at the county level because patterns in suicide differ across population subcultures and these differences are underexplored in research [13,14].…”