Suicide in Bangladesh

Statistics

In 2021, the World Health Organization reported 4,714 suicide cases in Bangladesh, but International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research noted that police records show 15,050 cases. This implies that the actual number of suicides is three times higher than the WHO estimate.

Suicide by students

A study conducted in 2024 revealed that 65.7% of total suicides in the country were committed by individuals aged 13 to 19. Additionally, 49.4% of all suicides involved school students, with 46% specifically from secondary school grades (6th to 10th grade). In total, 310 students died by suicide in 2024, with 61% of them being female students. The Dhaka Division reported the highest suicide rate at 29%, while the Sylhet Division reported the lowest at 2.9%. Another study indicates that among students aged 13 to 17, 4.4 per 100,000 boys and 5.8 per 100,000 girls commit suicide in Bangladesh. Depression is a leading cause of suicide among students, driven by failed relationships, poor exam performance, academic pressure, excessive device use, social media's negative impact, and parental alienation.

Suicide by gender

The rate of successful suicide is higher among men, with 3.6 per 100,000 individuals, compared to 2 per 100,000 individuals for women. However, the percentage of suicide attempts is greater among women, standing at 4.17%, while for men, it is 3.36%.

Studies show that men often feel pressure to meet certain expectations, primarily in terms of providing financially, and also in satisfying their partners' sexual needs. When they struggle to do this, it can lead to feelings of low self respect and a loss of respect from others. Some people believe that men might choose to end their lives as a way of sacrificing themselves. Others see mental and physical illness as factors contributing to male suicide.

According to a report published in the Lancet published in BBC News, suicidal tendency among women in Bangladesh is higher, because they have inferior status in society. Another factor is a higher rate of illiteracy and their economic dependence on men.

Notable incidents

2007 Mymensingh mass suicide

Main article: 2007 Mymensingh mass suicide

In 2007, in Mymensingh, a family of nine died by mass suicide by hurling themselves onto a train. According to the diaries recovered from their home, they wanted a pure life as lived by Adam and Eve, freeing themselves from bondage to any religion.

Suicide of Salman Shah

Main article: Death of Salman Shah

In 1996, a Dhallywood actor suicided by hanging. The Police Bureau of Investigation cited multiple contributing factors including a romantic relationship, marital distress, prior suicide attempts, and family conflict. The official PBI investigation that concluded he died by suicide lasted about 24 years before the final report was released in February 2020.

Common methods

Hanging is the most common method of suicide in Bangladesh. There is no cost involvement in this method other than ligature material, i.e., a rope, and thus that is why it is the preferred method. Swallowing poison is another common method in Bangladesh to die by suicide. In urban areas, people follow other methods to die by suicide, such as by an overdose of barbiturate tablets, or by other means. Other common methods include self-immolation, throwing oneself in front of a train, and jumping from a rooftop.

Prevention

• Non-profit Kaan Pete Roi provides mental health support via a free crisis helpline.

• Vent by Mindspace (+8809-678-678-778) is a Psychological Crisis Hotline Service, launched on 25th October 2021, has been providing psychological first-aid to more than three hundred people in only three months of its operation.

References

References

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14. Ahmad, M. (14 March 2011). "Hanging as a Method of Suicide: Retrospective Analysis of Postmortem Cases". Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh.
15. Morol, Shishir. (2025-12-23). "দেশে দিনে গড়ে ৪০টি আত্মহত্যা, সবচেয়ে বেশি যশোরে".
16. (6 February 2022). "Kaan Pete Roi: An emotional support helpline in Bangladesh". UNB.
17. bdnews24.com. "Mindspace marks a year of helping people take care of their mental health".
18. "Bangladesh的 Vent by Mindspace".
19. Bangladesh, MindSpace. "Free Crisis Hotline Bangladesh 09678-678-778 {{!}} 24/7 Mental Health Support".