KEY CHARACTERISTICS

There were 2,132 deaths from Intentional self-harm (suicide, (X60-X84, Y87.0)) registered in 2009, resulting in a ranking as the 14th leading cause of all deaths. Over three-quarters (76.6%) of suicides were males, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for males. Although death by suicide is a relatively uncommon event (occurring at a rate of 9.6 per 100,000 population per year), the human and economic costs are substantial.

Suicide as proportion of total deaths

While suicide accounts for only a relatively small proportion (1.5%) of all deaths in Australia, it accounts for a much greater proportion of deaths from all causes within specific age groups (see graph below). For example, in 2009, 22.1% of all male deaths aged 15-24 years were due to suicide. Similarly for females, suicide deaths comprise a much higher proportion of total deaths in younger age groups compared with older age groups.

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