Suicide and Homicide Rates Increase Among Young Americans

NCHS released a new report that uses the most recent data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) to update a previous report.

The report presents trends from 2001 to 2021 in suicide and homicide rates for young people ages 10‒24 and for age groups 10‒14, 15‒19, and 20‒24.

Findings:

• After no significant change between 2001 and 2007, the suicide rate among young people ages 10‒24 increased 62% from 2007 through 2021, from 6.8 deaths to 11.0 per 100,000.
• The homicide rate among young people ages 10-24 increased 60% from 2014 (6.7) through 2021 (10.7), after no significant changes between 2001 and 2006.
• During the period 2001‒2021,
  • The largest annual increase for suicide occurred from 2016 to 2017—a 10% increase from 9.6 to 10.6 per 100,000.
  • The largest annual increase in the homicide rate occurred from 2019 to 2020—a 37% increase from 7.8 to 10.7 per 100,000.
• Although suicide rates for young people ages 10‒24 surpassed homicide rates in 2010, by 2020 the two rates were similar due to the increase in homicide rates between 2019 and 2020.