An updated suicide statistical profile of the Philippines: 2006-2022

Suicide is a major public health concern, causing over 720,000 deaths worldwide annually. Accurate and timely national data are essential for prevention, yet Philippine suicide mortality has not been systematically updated since 2005, limiting evidence-based action, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We analyzed Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) deaths (2006-2022) and police-investigated suicides (2020-2023) using ICD-10 X60-X84, calculating age-standardized death rates (ASDR), employing an interrupted time series analysis to assess change during the COVID-19 period, and disaggregating by age, sex, region, and method, where available.

Suicide rates were stable from 2006 to 2019 but rose sharply in 2020. PSA ASDR increased by 67.5% from 2019 to 2020, then declined to expected pre-pandemic trends by 2022. Males comprised over 70% of total deaths per year; the male: female ASDR ratio peaked at 5.20 in 2021. Youth aged 10-24 accounted for one-third of deaths at the pandemic peak. Hanging was the predominant method, followed by self-poisoning with non-pesticide chemicals and pesticides. Median regional suicide death rates from 2006 to 2022 were highest in Region VII, followed by the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region II, Region X, and Region XI, indicating a broadly consistent group of higher-burden regions.

Suicide mortality in the Philippines increased in 2020 and 2021, particularly among young males, unlike many high-income countries, before returning to the pre-2020 trajectory by 2022. Findings indicate a temporal association with the early COVID-19 period. Hanging remains the dominant method. Strengthened surveillance, regionally tailored interventions, and targeted youth mental health support are urgently needed to reduce preventable deaths.