Per capita income is related to suicide rates in men but not in women

Background: Suicide is an important medical and social problem. It has been suggested that socioeconomic factors play a more important role in suicide for men than for women. This study examined the relation between per capita income and suicide rates in men and women in European countries. Methods: Correlations were computed to examine relations between per capita income and suicide rates in men and women in 34 European countries. Using median split, countries were divided into two groups according to per capita income. Suicide rates in countries with higher per capita income were compared with suicide rates in countries with lower per capita income. Results: There was a trend towards a negative correlation between per capita income and suicide rates in men. Men in countries with lower per capita income commit suicide more frequently than men in countries with higher per capita income. Conclusion: Socioeconomic improvements are needed to reduce suicide rates.