New Delhi, Oct 27 (IBN): Is there a direct link between suicide rate and development? May be or may be not. But, a closer look at India's state-wise suicide rate makes us believe that more suicide is linked to more development. The relatively prosperous and developed states in India have seen the highest number of suicide cases and the poorer states have registered the lowest number of suicide cases. According to a new database released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide rates in India are among the highest in the world. India's suicide rate is almost similar to that of developed nations in the world like USA and UK.
According to WHO report, India is ahead of even the USA when it comes to suicides. In India, suicide rate is 20.9 for one lakh population and in the USA; it is 13.7 for one lakh population. In United Kingdom, it is 6.9 for one lakh population.
However, India's National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) puts the average national suicide rate at 10.7 per one lakh population.
The suicide rate of non-farming people is higher than the farmers' suicide rate.
More suicide cases in southern states:
The relatively well developed and more prosperous southern states have much higher suicide rates than rest of India. Kerala has 25.63 suicides per one lakh population, Tamil Nadu 22.33, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together 16.89 and have Karnataka 17.91 suicides per one lakh population respectively. The tiny state of Goa has 22.12 suicides per one lakh population.
Among the poorer states, Tripura has 25.43 per one lakh and Chhattisgarh has 17.54 per one lakh population. It is highest for any poorer state.
Bihar has the lowest number of suicide rate with just 0.97 suicides per one lakh population. Uttar Pradesh has just 2.55 suicides per one lakh population. National Capital Delhi has 11.79 suicide cases per one lakh population.
The WHO report suggests that Karnataka and Kerala have seen a significant decline in suicide rates in the recent times. However, it is still highest in India.
Kerala tops farmers suicide:
Kerala tops even in farmers suicide. 147.28 farmers per one lakh population commit suicide in Kerala every year. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it is 32.23 and in Karnataka, it is 28.53 per one lakh population.
In Maharashtra, it is 25.18 per one lakh population. Manipur has the lowest rate of 0.19 suicides per one lakh farmers. In Bihar it is 1.81 and in UP, it is 4.06 per one lakh farmers.
WHO - Global key facts
Over 8,00,000 people die due to suicide every year. For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.
75 per cent of global suicides occur in low and middle-income countries.
Ingestion of pesticide, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.