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Many of the top suicidal countries in the entire world have high suicide rates, but these do not seem to reflect wars still raging in those countries. Instead, the high rate is likely due to mental health stress and financial crises. Belgium is one such country, coming in at number eleven with 18.3 suicides per 100,000 people. This small country also has some of the world’s most liberal laws for physician-assisted suicide, otherwise known as euthanasia.
South Korea
Mental health in South Korea has been in a state of crisis since the pandemic. The country’s increasing levels of depression, loneliness and social isolation are a direct result of this epidemic. 
While the South Korean government has shown little interest in combating mental illness, civil society groups have been left to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility. Nonprofit organizations have attempted to raise awareness about mental illness, but often find themselves swamped with the crisis.
Many of the suicide cases are committed by elderly people, which accounts for a high percentage of the country’s overall rate. As a person gets older, they are susceptible to sociopsychological factors such as the loss of a spouse and friends. The elderly are particularly at risk, as many of them are impoverished, and so feel the need to kill themselves so that their families won’t have to support them. South Korea’s welfare system is notoriously inadequate and people work long hours into the night. A traditional concept of taking care of the elderly has been eliminated in South Korea, and people living in rural areas are more likely to commit suicide.
Guyana
The high suicide rates in Guyana are caused by a number of factors, including social stigma, poverty, and lack of access to mental health care. The country has few mental health professionals, and attempts to kill oneself are illegal. Despite this, the police have established a suicide prevention hotline, which is available to all residents, and provides free counseling. The country’s population is made up of mostly Indo-Guyanese farmers, many of whom have access to lethal pesticides.
The suicide rate is particularly high among East Indians, who make up 40 percent of the population. In fact, eighty percent of Guyana’s suicides occurred among East Indians. Experts point to the country’s history for clues as to why there is such a high rate of suicide. The country began importing indentured servants from India in 1838, and they were relegated to a lower status than freed African slaves. Indentured women were treated even worse, with little opportunity to obtain property, and were physically abused by their husbands.
Kazakhstan
According to UNICEF research published in 2018, Kazakhstan is one of the top 10 most suicidal countries in the world. Suicide risk factors include social exclusion, bullying, financial difficulties, unstable home circumstances, and lack of future prospects. These issues are typically the result of wider social problems, such as poverty and economic inequality. Suicide prevention programs should consider these factors and make recommendations for Kazakhstan’s context.
The World Health Organization lists Kazakhstan fourth in the world when ranking suicide rates by country. It also ranks 10th in the world among people aged between 10 and 19 years old. Although the rate is relatively low, it remains a significant public health issue. In fact, the country has recognized the issue as a public health problem and has introduced measures to combat it. A recent panel discussion on child suicide reporting was organized by the Kazakhstani Media Alliance with support from the European Union.
Belgium
The number of suicide attempts in Belgium is relatively stable: 4% of the population had seriously considered suicide at some point in their lives. In the past year, one in three people had considered suicide, with men reporting more attempts than women. Suicide attempts increased among people in the 35-54 age group, with the youngest individuals having a higher rate than their elders. Suicide attempts in Belgium are largely related to socioeconomic status and education.
Suicide rates in Belgium are also higher than those in other European Union (EU) countries. Men are more likely to attempt suicide than women, with a rate more than two and a half times higher than that of women. Suicide rates in Belgium were higher in the Walloon Region than in the Flemish and Brussels Capital regions. Last year, the number of men thinking about suicide increased by nearly one-third. Suicide rates among men were 2.9 times higher than those of women, while women had a lower rate.
China
The reasons behind China’s ranking among the top 10 most suicidal countries are complex. The country’s rapid economic development, urbanization, and massive migration from rural areas have all contributed to the increase in suicide rates, particularly among older men. The resulting social change has also resulted in a significant shift away from the Confucian values of collective responsibility to individualism. Suicide rates in China are also linked to a variety of complex cultural, social, and economic factors. This changing epidemiology should guide long-term suicide prevention strategies.
Employment is a significant protective factor against suicide, as it implies security and economic opportunities. Societies with high employment rates have fewer deaths by suicide. However, unemployment is associated with a 20-30% increase in risk of suicide. In addition, the proportion of older adults who commit suicide increased from 16.9% in 1987 to 41.2% in 2014. The rate of suicide among older adults in China has increased by nearly half in the past decade.
