The relationship between population density and suicide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Higher suicide rates are reported in rural areas globally.
• Low population density may be a contributing factor to suicide risk.
• Previous studies suggest a correlation between rurality and suicide rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between population density and suicide rates worldwide.
• To investigate potential moderating effects of sex and age on this association.
• To synthesize global evidence on population density and suicide risk.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and PsychINFO databases.
• Adherence to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
• Meta-analysis of data from selected studies.

Main Results:

• 80 studies met inclusion criteria, spanning 1890-2019.
• 83.8% of studies indicated lower population density correlated with higher suicide rates.
• Meta-analysis confirmed a significant association (OR=1.87) between higher suicide rates and lower population density, particularly in males.

Conclusions:

• Living in less populated areas increases suicide risk globally, especially for males.
• Men appear more susceptible to suicide risk factors in low-density settings.
• Targeted suicide prevention strategies for males in rural areas are recommended.