-Automatic translation

Due to the small size of the population, small changes in the number of suicides can cause some fluctuations in the death rate between years. It is therefore important not to interpret the figures for one year as an indication of an increase or decrease in the frequency of suicides, but rather to look at a longer period. Looking at the last five years, from 2019-2023 there were an average of 41 suicides per year or 11.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Interactive dashboard and data processing

Official statistics on suicide are based on death certificates of persons with legal residence in Iceland at the time of death, which are recorded in the causes of death register. The number of suicides includes deaths where the underlying cause of death on the death certificate is listed as deliberate self-harm (ICD-10 codes: X60-X84).

Figures on suicide can be found on the website of the Directorate of Health both in tables and in an interactive dashboard.

Suicide prevention annual report 2024

Lífsbrú - Center for Suicide Prevention was officially opened under the auspices of the Directorate of Health and presented on January 25, 2024. Lífsbrú promotes cooperation among those working on the issue domestically and collaborates on prevention abroad.
On behalf of the Directorate of Health and Lífsbrú, research is being monitored, educational material for the general public and professionals is being worked on, and awareness of the issue is being promoted.

Lífsbrú has now published an annual report for the year 2024 (Icelandic), which discusses the center's various projects.

More information
Guðrún Jóna Guðlaugsdóttir, Project manager
gudrun.j.gudlaugsdottir@landlaeknir.is

Kjartan Hreinn Njálsson, assistant to the medical director of health
kjartan.h.njalsson@landlaeknir.is