An average of 29.1 people per 100,000 in South Korea took their own lives in 2012, far surpassing the OECD average of 12, according to the OECD Health Data 2015. (image: Kobia Media / Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has the highest suicide rate among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and its people were less confident about their health, a report showed Sunday.
An average of 29.1 people per 100,000 in South Korea took their own lives in 2012, far surpassing the OECD average of 12, according to the OECD Health Data 2015.
Hungary followed with 19.4 and Japan came next with 18.7, it said.
The suicide rate in Asia’s fourth-largest economy has sharply increased since 2000, bucking the global trend that has declined over the past two decades.
In addition, only 35.1 percent of Koreans considered themselves healthy, nearly half of the OECD average of 68.8 percent, it said.
Suicide has emerged as a major concern in the nation as it was cited as the No. 1 cause of death among teens and young people in 2013, sparking calls to better assist those afflicted with high level of stress.
(Yonhap)
