Suicide Facts - Provisional 2000 Statistics all ages

Suicide Facts
Provisional 2000 Statistics (all ages)
ISBN 0-478-25651-5 (Book)
ISBN 0-478-25652-3 (Website)

Date of publication: May 2003

Key Points

In 2000, the total number of suicides was 458, down from 516 in 1999 and 577 in 1998. This is the lowest total number since 1986 (414) and the lowest rate since 1985.
Total suicide deaths have reduced among both males and females in the last two years. In 2000, the female rate was the lowest since 1961.
In 2000, both the 45-64 year age group and the 65 and over age group recorded the lowest rates since 1948.
In 2000, a total of 96 young people aged 15-24 years died by suicide, compared with 120 in 1999 and 140 in 1998. Young people still have high rates of suicide but the highest rate is now in the 25-29 year age group.
Suicide deaths have reduced in non-Mäori, but have remained almost the same in Maori. In 2000, the rate of suicide in Maori was 13.1 per 100,000 compared with 10.7 per 100,000 in non-Maori.
The hospitalisation rate for intentional self-harm in 2000/2001 was 129.2 per 100,000.
The definition of intentional self-harm has been extended to include cases not previously included so should not be directly compared with previous years. Youth (15-24 years) had the highest hospitalisation rates in 2000/2001 (282.4 per 100,000).
There is some variation in regional suicide rates for the total population but no pattern.
The New Zealand Health Strategy has identified reducing suicide and suicide attempt across all ages as a priority health objective.
Suicide prevention requires a range of interventions across a number of settings and the co-operation of Government, service providers, communities and families.

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