Did suicide deaths in South Korea really exceed 7,000 in the first half of 2025?
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Synopsis
The alarming rise in suicide rates in South Korea continues, with over 7,000 deaths reported in the first six months of 2025. Experts urge for a comprehensive approach to tackle this pressing public health issue. Discover the age demographics and insights from researchers that highlight the need for broader societal interventions.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea recorded over 7,000 suicide deaths in the first half of 2025.
- The highest suicide rates are among those in their 50s.
- Experts call for broader public health interventions.
- South Korea's suicide rate is the highest within the OECD countries.
- The birth rate has shown a significant increase recently.
Seoul, Sep 28 (NationPress) Over 7,000 individuals lost their lives to suicide in South Korea during the initial six months of this year, as revealed by government statistics on Sunday.
A total of 7,067 people ended their lives between January and June, showing a slight decrease from 7,844 during the same timeframe last year, and is comparable to 7,142 in the first half of 2023, according to data from Statistics Korea.
When analyzed by age group, those in their 50s represented the largest percentage at 22.4%, followed by individuals in their 40s (19%), 60s (15.1%), 30s (13.5%), and 70s (9.8%), with other age brackets comprising the remaining percentage.
Experts emphasize that suicide should be addressed as a societal issue rather than solely an individual concern, necessitating public health interventions.
In a recent publication in the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs' (KIHASA) International Social Security Review, researcher Choi Min-jae from the Korea University Graduate School of Public Health advocated for the government to expand its focus beyond high-risk groups to incorporate both selective and universal measures targeting risks across the wider population.
Choi also called for the creation of a comprehensive control tower to evaluate how fiscal, labor, and other policies may influence suicide rates, and to introduce complementary measures when significant risks are identified.
South Korea currently has the highest suicide rate among member nations of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), recorded at 26.2 per 100,000 people in 2024, which is considerably higher than the OECD average of 10.8.
Earlier this week, government data indicated a nearly 6% increase in the number of babies born in South Korea in July, correlating with a significant rise in marriages.
A total of 21,803 babies were born in July, up 5.9% from 20,580 the previous year, according to Statistics Korea.
This marks the 13th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, though it is the fourth-lowest figure for July since records began in 1981.
Between January and July, 147,804 babies were born, reflecting a 7.2% increase from the same period last year, the highest growth rate since 1981.
It is the first instance since 2015 that the number of newborns in the January-July segment has shown an increase compared to the previous year.
The nation's total fertility rate, which indicates the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, rose by 0.04 from a year earlier to 0.8 in July.
Point of View
I believe we must acknowledge the critical mental health challenges facing South Korea. The statistics reveal a pressing need for collective action and comprehensive public health strategies to address this epidemic. It’s essential that we advocate for systemic change to mitigate these tragic losses.
NationPress
28/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the suicide rate in South Korea?
The suicide rate in South Korea is recorded at 26.2 per 100,000 people in 2024, the highest among OECD countries.
How many people died by suicide in South Korea in 2025?
In the first half of 2025, over 7,000 people, specifically 7,067, died by suicide in South Korea.
What age group is most affected by suicide in South Korea?
People in their 50s represent the largest share at 22.4%, followed by those in their 40s and 60s.
What measures are experts suggesting to combat suicide rates?
Experts recommend integrating both selective and universal measures that address risks across the general population.
How has the birth rate changed in South Korea recently?
In July 2025, the birth rate saw a nearly 6% increase compared to the previous year, with 21,803 babies born.
