Suicides in Hong-Kong and Singapore: a tale of two cities

Suicide statistics from Hong Kong and Singapore over the period 1984-1994 were studied. The suicide behaviours in Hong Kong and Singapore are remarkably similar. Suicide rates increased with age, with a sharp increase among the elderly which was about four to five times the average. A relatively low male:female ratio and low teenage suicide were also found. Jumping from a height was the commonest method of suicide. Nevertheless, a different time trend of the suicide rates was observed, with an upward and downward trend for Hong Kong and Singapore respectively. The cultural, social and economic aspects in understanding suicidal behaviour in Hong Kong and Singapore are also discussed.