SignIn
Kerala Kaumudi Online
Friday, 10 October 2025 12.00 AM IST

Leading in literacy and people ending lives; Kerala ranks third in suicides, second in suicides due to unemployment

Increase Font Size Decrease Font Size Print Page
suicide

THRISSUR: Despite being at the forefront of literacy, Kerala ranks third in the country in terms of suicides. This is the figure released by the National Crime Records Bureau. The highest number of suicides in the state of Kerala is in Kollam district. Unemployment, mental health problems, family problems, debt and alcoholism are common reasons, while hunger is also a cause of suicide.

13 men and three women died due to hunger in 2023. This figure comes amid Kerala's push to become a poverty-free state. This is the highest number of suicides due to hunger from 2013 to 2023. Most of those who commit suicide are between the ages of 18 and 30. The suicide rate is determined by calculating how many people per lakh. Kerala is in second place in mass suicides. There were 17 mass suicides. Tamil Nadu leads with 58 mass suicides. Kerala is in second place in suicides due to unemployment. Maharashtra is in first place. Andaman and Nicobar Islands lead the way in suicides with a rate of 49.6. Sikkim is second with a rate of 40.2.

Kollam leads

Most of the suicides in Kollam are by people under the age of 30. Among all the cities in the country, Kollam has the highest suicide rate of 48.6. The suicide rate in all the cities in the country is only 58.

Kerala closing in on top position

26.9 in 2021

28.5 in 2022

30.6 in 2023

34 in 2024

Reason for suicide

2021

  • Starvation 4
  • Unemployment 122
  • Drunkenness 902

2022

  • Starvation 4
  • Unemployment 117
  • Drunkenness 1047

2023

  • Starvation 16
  • Unemployment 127
  • Drunkenness 1059

Suicides

  • 2021- 9549
  • 2022- 10,162
  • 2023- 10,972

Most of the people who commit suicide are those who suffer from depression and those who lack the mental strength to solve their problems. When mental problems arise, many become addicted to drugs. This later leads to suicidal tendencies. It is advisable to speak openly. Everyone should stop being so reticent.

Dr. Shiny John

Prof. and Head

Department of Psychiatry

Amala Medical College

TAGS: SUICIDE, KERALA
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
KERALA KAUMUDI EPAPER
TRENDING IN KERALA
TRENDING IN KERALA
X
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.