In 2023, the suicide rate in the United States was approximately 22.7 per 100,000 for males and 5.9 per 100,000 for females. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, with significant variation by sex, age, race, and geography. Understanding these numbers in context reveals where the problem is most severe and how it has changed over time.
The Gender Gap in Suicide
The single most striking pattern in U.S. suicide data is the divide between men and women. Males make up 50% of the population but account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths. The male suicide rate (22.8 per 100,000) is almost four times the female rate (5.9 per 100,000).
What makes this gap more complex is that women attempt suicide at a similar or slightly higher rate. In 2024, about 0.9% of adult women and 0.8% of adult men reported attempting suicide in the past year. The difference in death rates comes down largely to the methods men tend to use, which are more immediately lethal.
Which Age Groups Are Most Affected
Suicide risk is not evenly distributed across the lifespan. Men aged 75 and older have the highest suicide rate of any age group at 42.2 per 100,000. Among non-Hispanic white men in that age range, the rate climbs to 50.1 per 100,000. Isolation, chronic illness, and loss of a spouse are common contributing factors in this group, and these deaths often receive less public attention than youth suicide.
Youth and young adults (ages 10 to 24) have a lower overall rate of 11.0 per 100,000, but suicide is the second leading cause of death in that age group, responsible for over 7,100 deaths. The rate among young people rose 52% between 2000 and 2021, a trend that has drawn significant concern from public health officials and school systems alike. American Indian and Alaska Native youth are disproportionately affected, with a rate of 36.3 per 100,000, more than three times the average for their age group.
Racial and Ethnic Differences
Non-Hispanic white Americans have consistently had the highest suicide rates among major racial and ethnic groups. That rate rose 51% from 2000 (12.0 per 100,000) to a peak of 18.1 in 2018, before declining modestly to 16.9 by 2020. Throughout this period, white suicide rates were two to three times higher than those of Black and Hispanic Americans.
However, the trends for Black and Hispanic populations are moving in the opposite direction. The suicide rate among non-Hispanic Black Americans declined slightly from 2000 to 2007, then rose 53% through 2020, reaching 7.8 per 100,000. Hispanic Americans saw a 29% increase from 2012 to 2020, reaching 7.5 per 100,000. While the absolute numbers remain lower, the pace of increase in these communities is alarming and has prompted calls for culturally specific prevention efforts.
Rural Areas Face Higher Rates
Where you live matters. Rural communities have consistently higher suicide rates than urban ones, and the gap has widened over time. From 2000 to 2018, rural suicide rates increased 48% (from 13.1 to 19.4 per 100,000), while urban rates increased 34% (from 10.0 to 13.4). By 2018, rural men died by suicide at a rate of 30.7 per 100,000, compared to 21.5 for urban men.
The rural-urban divide is even more pronounced for women. Rural female suicide rates nearly doubled between 2000 and 2018 (from 4.2 to 8.0 per 100,000), while urban female rates rose 51% and then leveled off. Firearm access plays a role in this gap: the firearm-related suicide rate in rural areas was 63% higher for men and 82% higher for women compared to urban areas. Limited access to mental health care in rural communities compounds the problem.
State-by-State Variation
The difference between the highest and lowest state suicide rates is enormous. In 2023, Alaska had the highest rate at 28.15 per 100,000, followed by Montana (26.65), Wyoming (26.31), Idaho (23.28), and New Mexico (22.76). These are sparsely populated, predominantly rural Western states.
At the other end, the District of Columbia had the lowest rate at 5.75, followed by New Jersey (7.19), New York (8.30), Massachusetts (8.58), and Connecticut (9.10). These are densely populated Northeastern areas with greater access to mental health services. The nearly fivefold difference between Alaska and D.C. illustrates how geography, demographics, and access to care intersect to shape suicide risk.
A Two-Decade Trend of Rising Rates
The broader story of U.S. suicide over the past two decades is one of steady escalation across most demographic groups. Rates climbed significantly from 2000 through 2018, driven by increases in nearly every population segment. The national rate dipped slightly in 2019 and 2020, but preliminary data from subsequent years suggest the overall trajectory remains concerning.
The financial toll is staggering. In 2020 alone, suicide and nonfatal self-harm cost the nation over $500 billion when accounting for medical expenses, lost work productivity, and quality-of-life impacts. That figure reflects not just the deaths themselves but the ripple effects on families, workplaces, and communities.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Since July 2022, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has served as the national crisis contact point, replacing the older 10-digit hotline number. The system handles calls, texts, and chats, routing people first to local crisis centers and then to a national backup network if needed. SAMHSA tracks performance metrics including call volume and answer rates to ensure people in crisis can reach someone quickly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, calling or texting 988 connects you to trained counselors around the clock.