In 2021, India Witnessed  Record 1.64 Lakh Suicides :NCRB Data

The year 2021 saw a rapid economic recovery following a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic that led to the deaths in most large countries, including India. However, another silent epidemic continues to claim thousands of lives each year: suicide. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released data for 2021 this week, revealing that 1,64,033 people died in 2021 for a variety of reasons. This equates to 450 recorded suicide deaths every single day of the year.

According to one recent study, there has been a significant increase in suicide rates in India since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 2021 figure is even more troubling because the study found that the NCRB's suicide data may be underestimating actual suicide rates.

The third of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people of all ages. Countries must work to reduce premature mortality by promoting mental health and well-being, according to Target 3.4 of this goal, and the suicide rate — the number of suicides per one lakh people — is a key indicator.

Unfortunately, the recent trend in India has been contrary to this expectation. According to NCRB data, suicide rates decreased from 2010 to 2017, but have since risen. In 2021, the suicide rate was a record 12, the highest for any year for which data is available since 1967. The previous record of 11.3 was set in 2020.

The year 2021 was marked by job market uncertainty, prolonged isolation, skyrocketing inflation, and financial doldrums, resulting in an increased burden of mental illness. According to NCRB data, up to 50 people commit suicide in India each week as a result of career or workplace problems. In 2020, a record 2,593 people committed suicide for such reasons, representing a 41% increase over the previous year.