Despite a slow but steady decline, suicide rates in Lithuania remain among the highest in the EU. However, according to the latest data, they have increased again in the last two years. Why is this happening and how does Lithuania compare with other EU countries?
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According to the latest Eurostat data, suicide rates in Lithuania are among the highest in the European Union, almost double the EU average.
The rate, which has increased over the past two years, is 19.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in both 2023 and 2024. According to the Lithuanian Institute of Hygiene, older people are particularly affected by problems such as loneliness.
"Statistics show that the number of suicides has decreased in all age groups over the past few decades, but the decline has been slowest in the 65+ age group," Paulius Skruibis, director of the Centre for Suicidological Research at Vilnius University, said in an interview with public broadcaster LRT. "This group currently has the highest relative suicide rate," he added.
According to experts, the cause can be the loss of loved ones, a general feeling of loneliness, poverty, job loss and health problems. They also point to cultural factors, substance abuse and slow implementation of emotional support programmes as possible reasons for the deteriorating mental health of Lithuanians.
Data shows that Lithuanians also have one of the highest rates of extreme poverty in the EU, with almost 170,000 people currently living below the poverty line, which may be contributing to the crisis. This threshold is defined as a monthly income of less than €500 for an individual or €1,000 for a family of four.
The Association of Emotional Support Services reports that helplines receive an average of 18 calls and 13 online chats per day in relation to suicide risk. Lithuania's population is approximately 2,818,398.
The Lithuanian government has stepped up efforts to address the mental health crisis. Since July, mental health case management services have been introduced, which include the possibility to receive support from social workers.
How do these figures compare with those of the EU?
According to data from 2022, Malta, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece have the lowest suicide rates in the EU, ranging from 4.12 per 100 000 population in Cyprus to 5.21 in Malta. Italy, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Luxembourg also have relatively low rates.
Slovenia had the highest suicide rate in the EU, followed by Lithuania and Hungary. Belgium, Estonia, Croatia and Austria also remain relatively high in the rankings.
