Long-term trends in suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt among adolescents in South Korea, 2012-2025

In South Korea, where suicide is the leading cause of adolescent death, this study examined national trends in suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt in relation to pandemic-related changes and population-level risk factors.

This study analyzed trends in suicidal behaviors from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2012-2025). All three outcomes were defined by self-reported questionnaires. The period was categorized as pre-pandemic (2012-2019), intra-pandemic (2020-2022), and post-pandemic (2023-2025). Temporal trends were assessed using weighted linear regression (β, βdiff), and risk factors were evaluated using weighted multivariable logistic regression with weighted odds ratios (wORs) and 95% CIs.

Overall, the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts declined pre-pandemic (2012-2019), increased during the pandemic (2020-2022), and declined again post-pandemic (2023-2025), with 2025 prevalence of 16.24% (95% CI, 15.46-17.01), 6.18% (5.69-6.67), and 4.03% (3.64-4.43), respectively. Higher prevalence was consistently observed among those aged ≤15 years and females, with the steepest intra-pandemic increase in suicidal ideation among the youngest group (β, 2.53 [95% CI, 1.75-3.30]).Temporal contrasts were most pronounced for suicide attempt, decreasing intra-pandemic versus pre-pandemic (wOR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.81-0.91]) and increasing post-pandemic versus intra-pandemic (1.25 [1.16-1.35]).Alcohol consumption showed a graded association by severity, with the strongest effects observed post-pandemic.

Suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts among South Korean adolescents showed marked disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and although rates declined post-pandemic, the findings underscore adverse mental health impacts and the need for preparedness for future global crises.