Suicide in Bangladesh

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Suicide in Bangladesh is a common cause of unnatural death and a long term social issue. According to the World Health Organization's 2024 estimate, the suicide rate in Bangladesh for 2021 was 2.8 per 100,000 persons. [1] On average, 40 people die by suicide every day in the country. [2]

Contents

Statistics

In 2021, the World Health Organization reported 4,714 suicide cases in Bangladesh, but International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research noted that police records show 15,050 cases. This implies that the actual number of suicides is three times higher than the WHO estimate. [2]

Suicide by students

A study conducted in 2024 revealed that 65.7% of total suicides in the country were committed by individuals aged 13 to 19. Additionally, 49.4% of all suicides involved school students, with 46% specifically from secondary school grades (6th to 10th grade). In total, 310 students died by suicide in 2024, with 61% of them being female students. [3] The Dhaka Division reported the highest suicide rate at 29%, while the Sylhet Division reported the lowest at 2.9%. [4] Another study indicates that among students aged 13 to 17, 4.4 per 100,000 boys and 5.8 per 100,000 girls commit suicide in Bangladesh. [5] Depression is a leading cause of suicide among students, driven by failed relationships, poor exam performance, academic pressure, excessive device use, social media's negative impact, and parental alienation. [5]

Suicide by gender

The rate of successful suicide is higher among men, with 3.6 per 100,000 individuals, compared to 2 per 100,000 individuals for women. [1] However, the percentage of suicide attempts is greater among women, standing at 4.17%, while for men, it is 3.36%. [6]

Studies show that men often feel pressure to meet certain expectations, primarily in terms of providing financially, and also in satisfying their partners' sexual needs. When they struggle to do this, it can lead to feelings of low self respect and a loss of respect from others. Some people believe that men might choose to end their lives as a way of sacrificing themselves. Others see mental and physical illness as factors contributing to male suicide. [7] [8] [9]

According to a report published in the Lancet published in BBC News, suicidal tendency among women in Bangladesh is higher, because they have inferior status in society. Another factor is a higher rate of illiteracy and their economic dependence on men. [10]

Notable incidents

2007 Mymensingh mass suicide

In 2007, in Mymensingh, a family of nine died by mass suicide by hurling themselves onto a train. [11] [12] According to the diaries recovered from their home, they wanted a pure life as lived by Adam and Eve, freeing themselves from bondage to any religion. [12]

Suicide of Salman Shah

In 1996, a Dhallywood actor suicided by hanging. The Police Bureau of Investigation cited multiple contributing factors including a romantic relationship, marital distress, prior suicide attempts, and family conflict. [13] The official PBI investigation that concluded he died by suicide lasted about 24 years before the final report was released in February 2020. [14]

Common methods

Hanging is the most common method of suicide in Bangladesh. There is no cost involvement in this method other than ligature material, i.e., a rope, and thus that is why it is the preferred method. [15] Swallowing poison is another common method in Bangladesh to die by suicide. In urban areas, people follow other methods to die by suicide, such as by an overdose of barbiturate tablets, or by other means. Other common methods include self-immolation, throwing oneself in front of a train, and jumping from a rooftop. [16]

Prevention

See Also

References

  1. 1 2 "Suicide mortality rate (per 100 000 population)". World Health Organization . Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  2. 1 2 Moral, Shishir (2025-12-23). "Bangladesh sees 40 suicides a day on average". Prothom Alo . Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  3. ↑ "School students make up 49.4% suicide deaths in 2024: Study". The Business Standard (Bangladesh) . 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  4. ↑ "Study: Nearly half of student suicides in 2024 were among schoolchildren". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  5. 1 2 "Suicide is the second highest cause of death in Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  6. ↑ Shuvo, Tonmoy Alam; Hossain, Kabir; Asma-Ul-Hosna; Dey, Dipu Rani (2025-04-01). "Suicide attempts in Bangladesh: Prevalence, trends, and disparities". Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health. 5 100170. doi: 10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100170 . ISSN   2949-916X.
  7. ↑ Khan, Anisur Rahman; Ratele, Kopano; Helman, Rebecca; Dlamini, Sipho; Makama, Refiloe (2022-11-01). "Masculinity and Suicide in Bangladesh". Omega. 86 (1): 218–240. doi:10.1177/0030222820966239. ISSN   1541-3764. PMID   33076754.
  8. ↑ Khan, Anisur Rahman; Ratele, Kopano; Helman, Rebecca; Dlamini, Sipho; Makama, Refiloe (2022-11-01). "Masculinity and Suicide in Bangladesh" . OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying. 86 (1): 218–240. doi:10.1177/0030222820966239. ISSN   0030-2228. PMID   33076754.
  9. ↑ Rahman Khan, Anisur (2025-12-09). "Social factors associated with rural male suicide in Bangladesh" . Mortality: 1–18. doi:10.1080/13576275.2025.2594053. ISSN   1357-6275.
  10. ↑ "Bangladeshi women 'at risk of suicide'". BBC News. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  11. ↑ Selim, Nasima (2010). "An extraordinary truth? The Ādam "suicide" notes from Bangladesh". Mental Health, Religion & Culture. 13 (3): 223–244. doi:10.1080/13674670903061230.
  12. 1 2 "Mymensingh joint suicide defies common sense". No. 1. BDNews24.com. BDNews24.com. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "PBI submits final report on Salman Shah's death". New Age (Bangladesh) . Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  14. ↑ "PBI probe concludes Salman Shah died by suicide, family rejects report". The Daily Star . Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  15. ↑ Ahmad, M; Hossain, MZ (14 March 2011). "Hanging as a Method of Suicide: Retrospective Analysis of Postmortem Cases". Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh. 6 (2): 37–39. doi: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7273 .
  16. ↑ Morol, Shishir (2025-12-23). "দেশে দিনে গড়ে ৪০টি আত্মহত্যা, সবচেয়ে বেশি যশোরে" [An average of 40 suicides occur per day in the country, with the highest number in Jessore.]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2026-01-19.
  17. ↑ "Kaan Pete Roi: An emotional support helpline in Bangladesh". UNB. 6 February 2022.
  18. ↑ bdnews24.com. "Mindspace marks a year of helping people take care of their mental health". Mindspace marks a year of helping people take care of their mental health. Retrieved 2026-01-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ "Bangladesh的 Vent by Mindspace". findahelpline.com (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  20. 1 2 Bangladesh, MindSpace. "Free Crisis Hotline Bangladesh 09678-678-778 | 24/7 Mental Health Support". www.mindspacebd.com. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
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