Changes in Suicide Rates in the United States From 2023 to 2024

NCHS Data Brief No. 572, September 2026

PDF Version (311 KB)

Matthew F. Garnett, M.P.H., and Anne M. Zehner, M.P.H.

Introduction

In 2024, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-44 (1). In recent years, suicide mortality rates have leveled off (2). This report provides final 2024 mortality rates for suicide and shows changes in rates by age group, sex, and means of suicide between 2023 and 2024, as well as rates by state of residency for 2024.

Trends

• The total age-adjusted suicide rate increased from 13.0 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2014 to 14.0 in 2017 and then remained stable between 2017 and 2024 (Figure 1, Table 1). However, the rate in 2024 (13.7) was lower than the rate in 2023 (14.1).
• The suicide rate for males increased from 2014 (20.7) to 2018 (22.8) and then did not change significantly between 2018 and 2024, although the rate in 2024 (22.3) was lower than the rate in 2023 (22.7).
• The suicide rate for females did not change significantly from 2014 to 2024. The rate in 2024 (5.6) was lower than the rate in 2023 (5.9).
• The suicide rate for males was about 3 to 4 times higher than the rate for females across the 2014 to 2024 period.

Rates for females by age group

• Between 2023 and 2024, suicide rates decreased for women age 25 and older in each age group (Figure 2, Table 2).
• Between 2023 and 2024, the suicide rate decreased 7.8% for women ages 25-44 (from 7.7 to 7.1 per 100,000), 5.8% for women ages 45-64 (8.6 to 8.1), 11.3% for women ages 65-74 (6.2 to 5.5), and 9.8% for women age 75 and older (5.1 to 4.6).
• In 2023 and 2024, the lowest suicide rate for females was among those ages 10-14 (2.1 and 2.3, respectively), and the highest rate was among those ages 45-64 (8.6 and 8.1, respectively).

Rates for males by age group

• Between 2023 and 2024, the suicide rate decreased 4.7% for males ages 15-24 (from 21.2 deaths per 100,000 to 20.2) and 4.4% for males ages 25-44 (29.8 to 28.5) (Figure 3, Table 3).
• In 2023 and 2024, the lowest suicide rates for males were among those ages 10-14 (2.5 and 2.4, respectively), and the highest rates were among those age 75 and older (40.7 and 40.1, respectively).

Means of suicide

• Between 2023 and 2024, the age-adjusted rate among males for suffocation-related suicide decreased from 5.7 deaths per 100,000 standard population to 5.3 (Figure 4, Table 4).
• For females between 2023 and 2024, the rate of poisoning-related suicide decreased from 1.7 to 1.5.
• Firearm-related suicide was the leading means of suicide for both males and females in 2023 and 2024, and the rates did not change significantly between years for either group.

State

• In 2024, the total age-adjusted rate of suicide was 13.7 deaths per 100,000 standard population, with rates ranging from 5.7 in the District of Columbia to 29.7 in Alaska (Figure 5, Table 5).
• The five areas with the highest rates were Alaska (29.7), Wyoming (27.8), Montana (26.8), New Mexico (24.6), and South Dakota (21.9).
• The five states with the lowest rates were the District of Columbia (5.7), New Jersey (6.7), New York (8.1), Massachusetts (8.3), and Rhode Island (8.9).

Summary

This report presents suicide rates from 2014 to 2024, with a focus on recent changes between 2023 and 2024, by age, sex, means of suicide, and state of residency at death. The total age-adjusted suicide rate increased from 2014 to 2017, with no significant change from 2017 through 2024, although the rate in 2024 was lower compared with 2023.

For both females and males, the overall age-adjusted rate declined from 2023 to 2024. By age group, rates decreased for women age 25 and older, while for males the rate declined for ages 15-24 and 25-44. Among both males and females, the rates for 2023 and 2024 were lowest among people ages 10-14. In both years, the rate for males was highest among men age 75 and older, and the rate for females was highest among women ages 45-64. For males, rates declined for suffocation-related suicide, and for females, rates declined for poisoning-related suicide.

In 2024, the total age-adjusted suicide rate was 13.7 deaths per 100,000 standard population, and rates varied across states. The states with the lowest rates were the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, and the states with the highest rates were Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

Data source and methods

Data were analyzed using National Vital Statistics System cause-of-death mortality files for 2014 through 2024 on CDC WONDER (1,3). Suicide deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) underlying cause-of-death codes U03, X60-X84, and Y87.0 (4). Means of suicide were identified using ICD-10 codes X72-X74 for firearm-related suicide, X60-X69 for poisoning-related suicide, and X70 for suffocation-related suicide. Firearm, poisoning, and suffocation accounted for 92% of male suicide deaths in 2023 and 2024, and 90% of female suicide deaths in 2023 and 2024. Other means of suicide are not shown but are included in totals in this report.

Age-adjusted death rates were calculated using the direct method and the 2000 U.S. standard population (5). Although suicide deaths for children ages 5-9 years are included in total numbers and age-adjusted rates, they are not shown as part of age-specific numbers or rates because of the small number of suicide deaths each year in this age group.

Reported significant patterns in trend analyses may differ from previous reports that use a different time period, particularly those using different start and end years. Trends were evaluated using the Joinpoint Regression Program (version 5.4.0.0) (6). Joinpoint software was used to fit weighted least-squares regression models to the rates on the logarithmic scale. Analyses were set to allow one joinpoint across the period, as few as two observed time points from any given joinpoint to either end of the data, and as few as two observed time points between any two joinpoints. The weighted Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) tests for model (number of joinpoints) significance were set at an overall alpha level of 0.05. Pairwise comparisons of rates (as in age-adjusted rates for males compared with females and year-to-year comparisons) were conducted using a z test with an alpha level of 0.05 (5). Both Joinpoint software and pairwise z tests were used to evaluate changes in rates over time.

About the authors

Matthew F. Garnett and Anne M. Zehner are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Analysis and Epidemiology.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC WONDER. 2018-2024 underlying cause of death. 2025. Available from: https://wonder.cdc.gov/deaths-by-underlying-cause.html.
2. Garnett MF, Zehner AM. Changes in suicide rates in the United States from 2022 to 2023. NCHS Data Brief. 2025 Sep;(541):1-9. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174625.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC WONDER: 1999-2020 underlying cause of death. 2021. Available from: https://wonder.cdc.gov/deaths-by-underlying-cause.html.
4. World Health Organization. International classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision (ICD-10). 2008 ed. 2009.
5. Xu J, Murphy SL, Kochanek KD, Arias E. Deaths: Final data for 2022. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2025 Jun;74(4):1-138. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174588.
6. National Cancer Institute. Joinpoint Regression Program (Version 5.4.0.0) [computer software]. 2025.

Suggested citation

Garnett MF, Zehner AM. Changes in suicide rates in the United States from 2023 to 2024. NCHS Data Brief. 2026 Sep;(572):1─12. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/252473.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health Statistics

Carolyn M. Greene, M.D., Acting Director
Amy M. Branum, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Division of Analysis and Epidemiology

Irma E. Arispe, Ph.D., Director
Kimberly A. Lochner, Sc.D. Associate Director for Science