Suicides in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Beijing

BACKGROUND: Differences and similarities were examined of suicide in Hong Kong, Beijing and Taiwan, the populations of which are all ethnically Chinese and share some characteristics of culture but which have very different social and political environments. METHODS: The official death statistics were used for the periods 1981-94 (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and 1987-94 (Beijing). RESULTS: Hong Kong has experienced a slight increase in suicide rate, whereas a significant decline was observed in Taiwan and Beijing. The suicide rates in all three increased with age, the rate among the elderly being four to five times the average. A relatively low male: female ratio (1.0-1.9) was also observed. Jumping and hanging were the most common methods of suicide in Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively. Hong Kong had the most years of potential life lost. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the remarkable economic growth in all three places during the study period, the differences in suicide trends suggest that the social and political environments may be more important than the economic environment in suicide. In Hong Kong the suicide rate is likely to remain high or even to increase.