Updated suicide statistics for Sweden in 2023

NASP conducts epidemiological surveillance of suicides and self-harm incidents in Sweden to identify relevant risk groups and trends, which can inform targeted public health interventions. Our statistics pages are updated at least annually, to include new suicide and self-harm/suicide attempt data at the national and county levels. On June 25 this year, the National Board of Health and Welfare published the official cause of death statistics for 2023, and NASP has analyzed and compiled the external causes of deaths related to both determined (X60-X84) and undetermined (Y10-Y34) self-harming intent.

No significant change in the overall trend

At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the suicide rate dropped abruptly to 1459 deaths, but this did not cause substantial changes in Sweden’s overall downward suicide trend. Over the following three years (2021–2023), the suicide rate gradually increased to 1617 deaths in 2023, but this increase was marginal and did not alter the overall trend.

In this context, an “increase/increment” means that the suicide rate is higher than the previous year’s rate, without disrupting a statistical trend. By “trend,” we refer to general patterns identifiable over longer periods, allowing for forecasts that indicate whether the suicide rate is likely to continue in the same direction in the coming years.

When stratifying cause of death data, i.e., dividing the population into smaller groups (such as men and women in five age categories), it becomes more challenging to detect trends due to greater annual variations in the death numbers. NASP’s trend analyses, which largely consist of stratified data, can therefore be somewhat uncertain. Despite this uncertainty, these analyses can be useful for early identification of potential changes.

Age-specific suicide trends

Between certain start years up to 2023, the following general suicide trends (both deaths with determined and undetermined self-harming intent) have been observed for different age groups in Sweden:

• Both sexes, age group 15+ years: From 2000 to 2023, a significant declining trend of half a percent per year is observed. Both males and females contribute to this decrease. The analysis includes both confirmed and unconfirmed suicides. The findings are stable and trustworthy.
• Both sexes, age group 15–24 years: Previously, an increasing suicide trend was observed among young people, starting around 1994 up to 2022. Further analyses will be conducted to investigate whether this trend may have been disrupted in by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the period up to 2023.
• Both sexes, age group 25–44 years: From 2003 to 2023, an annually increasing trend of about half a percent is observed. The findings are relatively robust.
• Both sexes, age group 45–64 years: From 2009 to 2023, an annually decreasing trend of 1.5% is observed. The findings are relatively robust.

Continued examination of data

NASP will continue to analyze the cause of death statistics for 2023. Additionally, statistics on suicide methods and suicide attempts/self-harm will be analyzed and compiled.

The compilation of data at the municipal level for 2023 will begin in the fall of 2024.

More information

On NASP’s statistics pages, you can find detailed suicide statistics for Sweden, its counties, and Stockholm County for 2023.

Do you work for a region or municipality and need assistance with preparing and interpreting statistics? Contact us, and we will help you.