For the first time since 1983, suicide has surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death among Koreans in their 40s, according to Statistics Korea’s 2024 report. While suicide has traditionally been a major cause of death for those in their 10s to 30s, it is now rapidly affecting the core working-age group of 40-year-olds. This shift has contributed to the highest number of suicide deaths in 13 years.

In 2024, the total number of deaths in South Korea reached 358,569, an increase of 6,058 (1.7%) from the previous year. Men accounted for 191,738 deaths, while women accounted for 166,831. The daily average number of deaths was 980, up 14 from the previous year.

Cancer Remains Top Cause Overall

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Cancer remains the leading cause of death overall, representing 24.8% of total deaths. The age-standardized cancer mortality rate was 174.3 per 100,000 people, up 4.5% from the previous year. Lung cancer (38.0), liver cancer (20.4), colorectal cancer (19.0), pancreatic cancer (16.0), and stomach cancer (14.1) were the most common causes. Notably, deaths from prostate, esophageal, pancreatic, uterine, and breast cancers increased compared to the previous year.

Suicide Numbers Rise for Second Consecutive Year

Suicide claimed 14,872 lives in 2024, up 6.4% from the previous year, marking a 13-year high. The suicide rate per 100,000 people reached 29.1, with men (41.8) dying by suicide at 2.5 times the rate of women (16.6). Among OECD countries, South Korea’s age-standardized suicide rate was 26.2, the highest worldwide compared to the OECD average of 10.8.

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By age group, suicide is now the leading cause of death among individuals in their 10s, 20s, 30s, and 40s, while cancer remains the top cause for those 50 and older. Among 40-year-olds, suicide accounted for 26.0% of deaths, surpassing cancer at 24.5%.

Experts note that while younger age groups may be influenced by social factors such as high-profile celebrity suicides (“Werther effect”), economic pressures and life stressors may play a larger role for 40-year-olds, the core working-age demographic.

Sources: 네이트 뉴스