Reflecting on death by suicide data for 2024

The latest data published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows a substantial reduction in deaths by probable suicide in Scotland in 2024.

In 2024, 704 suicides were registered in Scotland.

This represents an 11% decrease from 2023 (790 deaths). Still every life lost to suicide is a tragedy that leaves a lasting impact on families, friends, and communities.

The rate of probable suicide deaths in Scotland per 100,000 people was 12.7 in 2024. This is a decrease from 14.4 per 100,000 people in 2023.

It is important to interpret annual changes in context. Suicide statistics often fluctuate from year to year, and examining longer-term patterns offers a clearer picture. Over the past five years, Scotland has seen variation in suicide rates, with 2024’s figure of 704 representing a substantial decrease compared with the five-year average of 789 deaths (2019–2023).

Looking further back, the past decade shows an overall downward trend despite year-on-year changes, and 2024 marks the lowest rates of probable suicide deaths per 100,000 since 2017 (12.6).

Gender differences
Men continue to be disproportionately affected, with suicide rates remaining three times higher than those of women. The large decrease in 2024 is primarily driven by a 12% reduction in male suicide deaths to 518, and a decrease in female suicides decreased by 7% to 186 deaths.

Compared with the five-year average, 2024 shows a decrease of 63 probable male suicides (581 for 2019–2023) and a decrease of 22 among women (208 for 2019–2023).

Age differences
Since 2000, the average age at death for probable suicide deaths has generally increased, from 41.9 years in 2000 to 47.5 years in 2024. The average age of death by suicide has increased slightly from 2023 (46.6 years).

In 2024, age-specific rates of probable suicide deaths were highest for those aged between 25 and 64.

"We're thinking of the families, friends and colleagues of those we lost to suicide in 2024 today," says our Suicide Prevention Scotland national delivery lead Haylis Smith.

"Of course, we welcome a reduction in deaths by suicide, but that won't be of any consolation to everyone who knew one of the 704 that died last year. 

"Our work at Suicide Prevention Scotland has to be relentless until no suicide is inevitable.

"This means we're working to address the factors that can increase people's risk of suicide, taking a whole of society approach to help everyone understand what they can do to help prevent suicide

"That's the heart of Scotland's long-term suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.

"And this means delivering a range of work across Government, workplaces and communities which is supported by the boldest public awareness campaign we believe Scotland has ever seen, which we now know is helping to increase people's confidence to talk about suicide.

"This matters, because we know the best way to prevent suicide is to talk about, and so if you're worried about someone, please ask them if they are considering suicide."

Analysis of the data is provided by Dr Karen Wetherall, a research fellow with the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory (SBRL) at the University of Glasgow.

*Please note that during the production of this year's data by National Records of Scotland, an error in the 2023 publication was identified. This error had resulted in two deaths being classed as due to intentional self-harm, and thus counted within these statistics, when they should not have been. This has been corrected by NRS within this edition of the report and data tables on their website.

Media colleagues reporting on suicide, are asked to refer to Samaritans Media Guidelines, and include sign posting to support, set out at the bottom of this news story.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:

• Samaritans 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org

• Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

• NHS 24 mental health hub on 111

If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.