According to the World Organization of Health (WHO), the suicide It is a widespread cause of death in the world, especially among young people. Between 2007 and 2023, an average of 590 people took their own lives in the Dominican Republic, according to data from the National Statistics Office (ONE) compiled in a recently published yearbook.
The years with the most suicides registered since 2007 in the yearbook were 2021 and last 2023. The problem of mental health In the country, then, it goes in increase.
As for last year, it was found that the months The most cases were July, April and June, with 12.4%, 10.6% and 9.6%, respectively.
On the other side of the coin, the months with fewer incidences of suicides They were December, August and January, periods in which holidays are celebrated, such as Christmas, or vacations, and people get together with their families.
Suicides according to age and sex
The highest percentage of suicides It was recorded in people between 25 and 45 years old, with 45.3%, according to the ONE. After this group of agepeople over 65 years of age stand out, who register a percentage of 14.2% of the suicides. On the other hand, the lowest figures correspond to those under 15 years of age.
As to men and womenthere is a noticeable difference. In 2023, 86.1% of cases of suicide corresponded to menwhile 13.9% were attributed to women. This indicates that for every 100 men who commit suicide, 6.2 women they make the fatal decision.
He suicide by province
These data cover people aged six years and older, per 100,000 inhabitants. province with more suicides In 2023, Hermanas Mirabal was the most populated city, with a rate of 15.7. In second place, Santiago RodrÃguez registered a rate of 13.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Third place was occupied by San José de Ocoa, which registered a rate of 12.6.
On the less dark side of the coin are the provinces with less suicidesThe one that registered the fewest cases was Pedernales, with a rate of 3.2. Then, El Seibo, with 3.6. In third place, Samaná, with a rate of 3.9 points.
Suicides of Dominicans, Haitians and others foreign
Last year, 93.4% of the suicides that were registered in the Dominican Republic were nationals of the country. On the other hand, 4.5% were attributed to HaitiansFinally, the remaining 2.1% goes to citizens of other countries.
As for the weekdaystwo thirds of the suicides In 2023, they occurred on Saturdays and Tuesdays, representing 62% of the total. On average, 1.83 suicides per day.
