As the population ages, the number of suicide deaths among people aged 60 years and older has increased substantially in the Region, despite relatively stable mortality rates
Washington, D.C., October 20, 2026 (PAHO) – The number of suicide deaths among adults aged 60 years and older in the Americas increased from 13,567 in 2000 to 27,792 in 2023, according to a new study published in International Psychogeriatrics by researchers from the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). While the overall suicide mortality rate remained relatively stable during the period, the study highlights the growing public health impact of suicide as the population ages.
The study analyzed Global Burden of Disease 2023 estimates of suicide mortality among adults aged 60 years and older across 38 countries and territories in the Americas from 2000 to 2023. Over this period, the regional suicide mortality rate rose only slightly, from 14.46 to 14.95 deaths per 100,000 older adults, while the annual number of deaths more than doubled.
“Population aging means that even stable rates of suicide can translate into many more deaths and a growing demand for prevention, mental health, and support services,” said Antonio Sanhueza, lead author of the study and Regional Advisor in Biostatistics at PAHO. “These findings reinforce the importance of integrating suicide prevention into healthy aging policies and services.”
Men and the oldest age groups face the highest risk
The study found significant disparities by sex and age. Men experienced suicide mortality rates more than five times higher than women, with an adjusted mortality rate ratio of 5.22. In 2023, the suicide mortality rate among older men reached 26.52 deaths per 100,000 population, compared with 5.24 among older women.
In 2023, suicide mortality rates were highest among adults aged 85 years and older, although trends over time varied across age groups. Previous research has identified chronic illness, pain, functional decline, social isolation, bereavement, depression, and barriers to care as factors associated with suicide risk in later life.
Important differences across countries
The study also revealed substantial variation in suicide mortality within the Americas, both between countries and across subregions. In 2023, the highest suicide mortality rates among older adults were observed in Cuba (52.18 deaths per 100,000), Suriname (48.91) and Guyana (39.51). At the subregional level, North America had the highest rate (18.47 per 100,000), while the Andean Area had the lowest (8.27 per 100,000).
Country trends varied markedly. Suicide mortality increased in the Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and the United States, among others, while notable declines were observed in Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and several Caribbean countries.
“These differences suggest that demographic factors alone do not explain suicide mortality,” said Patricia Morsch, co-author of the study and Advisor on Healthy Aging at PAHO. “Understanding how health systems, social protection, community support, and access to care influence outcomes will be critical for prevention efforts.”
Implications for healthy aging
The authors emphasize the importance of policies that support social participation, community connections, income security, integrated care, and access to mental health services as part of a comprehensive prevention response.
Prevention strategies should also include locally appropriate measures to reduce access to lethal means, alongside follow-up care after suicidal crises
The study calls for age-responsive mental health services, stronger surveillance systems, continuity of care following suicidal crises, and closer coordination between health and social protection systems. It also highlights the importance of reporting suicide data by age and sex to better identify emerging trends among different groups of older adults.
As countries across the Americas continue implementing the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030), addressing mental health and preventing suicide among older adults will be essential to ensuring that people can age with dignity, health, and well-being.
