Suicide in Scotland in Comparison with England and Wales

Official statistics have always shown Scotland to have lower suicide rates than England and Wales. Over the past twenty years, however, the rates have been converging. The England and Wales rates for men have fallen slightly while in Scotland they have risen. Among women both countries show an increasing rate, but this is more marked in Scotland. 2. In 1966-8 the age-specific rates were very similar in the two countries up to age 55 in men and 45 in women. Scotland has lower rates in the older age-groups. 3. Differences in the methods of investigating suspicious deaths are briefly discussed and are considered unlikely to explain the discrepancies. Different criteria for suicide may be operative, but if so must be reflected only in certain age-sex groups. 4. Demographic differences are considered unlikely to be important. 5. It can also be hypothesized, but not concluded, that the pattern of suicide is actually different in Scotland, and the effect of alcoholism in this context is mentioned.