National and Regional Statistics

Age-standardised suicide rates for English regions, deaths registered in 2023

Source: Suicides in England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics

Main points Nationally

  1. There were 6,069 suicides registered in England and Wales (11.4 deaths per 100,000 people) in 2023; this is an increase compared with 2022 (10.7 deaths per 100,000, or 5,642 deaths) and the highest rate seen since 1999.

  2. The suicide rate for males in England and Wales increased to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, from 16.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022; this is the highest rate for males since 1999.

  3. The suicide rate for females in England and Wales increased to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022; this is the highest rate for females since 1994.

  4. The age-specific suicide rate was highest for males aged 45 to 49 years (25.5 deaths per 100,000), and for females aged 50 to 54 years (9.2 deaths per 100,000).

  5. Rates increased across all broad age groups between 2022 and 2023. The largest increase was in those aged 45 to 64 years (from 13.4 to 14.8 deaths per 100,000 people).

— Source; Office For National Statistics, 2023 registrations.

Suicide rates 2014-2023 (deaths per 100,000 residents in Norfolk) by age group

Source: Civil Registrations Database (N = 961).

Main points Regionally

  1. Since the early 2000s, Norwich has consistently had one of the highest suicide rates of residents among Norfolk lower tier local authorities.

  2. In Norfolk, around three in four individuals who die by suicide are male. The highest suicide rates are seen in middle-aged and senior men.

  3. Women in their 40s and 50s have the highest suicide rate for their sex.

  4. Three in five (59%) suicides in Norfolk occurred at home.

  5. Suicide Risk Factors;

  6. Negative life events can have a strong impact on wellbeing and suicidal thoughts and actions. An alternative approach to considering risk factors is thinking about the absence of protective factors for wellbeing. Suicide may often arise from an absence of protective factors such as good quality relationships and support networks, access to work and meaningful employment, secure and comfortable housing, and good physical health or effective pain management.

— Source; Norfolk County Council, suicide audit 2024.