Suicide statistics in Belarus are not publicly available. However, some figures can sometimes be found in scientific publications—for example, in an article by Mikalai Baranouski, professor at the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, published in the Sociological Almanac. Belsat has selected the most important findings from the study.

18.03.2026

Suicides peaked in the 1990s

According to the study, the highest suicide rate in Belarus was observed in the 1990s. While the rate was approximately 23 cases per 100,000 people in the mid-1980s, by the middle of the next decade, it had almost doubled, reaching 47.8 cases per 100,000 in 1996. In 1999, the rate remained almost as high, at approximately 44 cases per 100,000.

In the 2000s, the situation gradually began to change. In 2000, the suicide rate was 33 cases per 100,000 people (3,300 cases), in 2005 – 31.2, and in 2010 – 25.9 cases per 100,000. In subsequent years, the rate continued to decline: in 2018, it was 19.1 cases per 100,000 population (1,816 suicides), in 2020 – 16.2 (1,528 cases), in 2022 – 15.3 (1,433 cases), and in 2023 – 15 cases per 100,000 population (1,384 suicides).

Thus, over the past two decades, Belarus, according to the World Health Organisation’s classification, has moved from the category of countries with a high suicide rate (more than 20 cases per 100,000 population) to the category of countries with a medium rate. According to the WHO’s 2021 ranking (the Belarusian authorities did not provide more recent data), Belarus ranked 23rd out of 184 countries with a rate of 16.49 cases per 100,000 population. Moreover, the country’s suicide rate was higher than, for example, that of the United States, Belgium, Estonia, and Poland. At the same time, several post-Soviet countries – including Russia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine – had higher rates.

However, the researcher notes that even a reduction to 15 cases per 100,000 population in 2023 would still remain close to the conventional European critical level of 17.5 cases and continues to be a source of serious concern.

Suicide rates are significantly higher in villages than in cities

The study shows that suicidal behaviour rates vary significantly depending on place of residence.

According to medical statistics for 2023, the suicide rate in cities is approximately 11.3 cases per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this figure reaches 28.6 cases.

Thus, among residents of villages and small towns, the suicide rate is approximately two and a half times higher than among the urban population.

The difference is particularly noticeable among working-age individuals. Among rural residents, the rate reaches 38.9 cases per 100,000 people, while among city residents, it is approximately 13.3.

Researchers note that this difference may be due to several factors. Rural areas are more likely to experience social isolation, limited access to psychological and medical care, higher rates of alcohol abuse, and fewer opportunities for social mobility.

Parasuicides: the hidden part of the problem

Special attention is given to so-called parasuicides—suicide attempts that do not result in death.

World Health Organisation experts use a rough estimate that for every completed suicide, there are ten to twenty suicide attempts. This means that official statistics conceal a much larger problem. For example, if 1,433 suicides were registered in Belarus in 2022, the number of suicide attempts could be between 14,000 and 28,000. Furthermore, approximately 11,000 people in the immediate circle of those killed are at increased risk, and tens of thousands may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The rise in parasuicides is particularly alarming. According to medical statistics, the rate has increased in recent years from 53.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2018 to 63.2 cases in 2023, an increase of almost 17%.

Adolescents predominate among parasuicides. According to data for 2023, 57.6% of cases occurred among adolescents aged 15–17, and another 42.2% among children aged 10–14. Moreover, women make up the vast majority of suicide attempts: in 2023, their share was 78.4%, while men made up 21.6%.

For specialists, such cases are particularly significant, as those who attempt suicide remain at high risk.

How many Belarusians experience suicidal thoughts?

This article presents the results of a representative sociological study on the prevalence of suicidal behavior among adults in Belarus. A total of 1,819 people from various socio-demographic groups in all regions of the country were surveyed.

According to the survey results, 4.2% of respondents admitted to having experienced critical situations in their lives where they were so distressed that they experienced suicidal thoughts or intentions. However, 6.2% of respondents declined to answer this question.

Such situations occurred with approximately equal frequency among men and women – 4.6% and 3.9%, respectively. They are most common among young people: 8.6% of respondents aged 18–30 reported such thoughts, while among those over 50, the figure was 2.1%.

There are also regional differences. The proportion of people who had encountered similar situations was higher than the national average in Minsk (7.8%), Vitsebsk (5.9%), and Hrodna (5.5%) regions. In urban areas, 4.6% of respondents gave such answers, while among rural residents, the figure was 3.9%.

Responses to the question about immediate surroundings also provide an indirect assessment of the scale of the problem. 10.8% of respondents reported that among their acquaintances, friends, neighbors, or relatives, there were people who had attempted or committed suicide.

Overall, the study’s author concludes that, taking into account people who have experienced suicidal thoughts themselves, as well as those who have encountered such situations in their surroundings, approximately 11% of the adult population of the country is directly or indirectly involved in suicidal behaviour.

The most vulnerable groups and causes

According to the study, men of working age remain the most vulnerable group in terms of suicidal behaviour. Increased risk is also observed among rural residents, the elderly, and people who abuse alcohol. Researchers note that these groups are more likely to experience a combination of risk factors, including economic hardship, health problems, social isolation, or family conflict.

Among the most common causes that can lead to suicidal thoughts, respondents most often cited prolonged depression, family conflicts, loss of meaning in life, and mental illness. Peer pressure, alcoholism, serious illness, low quality of life, and the death of a loved one also play a significant role.

Source: https://en.belsat.eu/92150841/suicides-in-belarus-where-are-they-most-common-and-whos-at-risk