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Paris, France – Suicide rates in France rose in 2022, marking a halt to a 35-year decline, according to newly released data from the National Suicide observatory published in February 2025. A total of 9,200 deaths by suicide were recorded, resulting in a gross rate of 13.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 13 in 2021 and 13.1 in 2020.
The National Suicide Observatory, a division of the French Ministry of Solidarity and Health (Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé), described the trend as a potential “floor level” reached in the early 2020s, noting a statistical anomaly in 2018 attributed to improved data collection methods. The data covers deaths occurring across metropolitan France and its overseas territories.
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The data reveals significant disparities based on gender. Men accounted for 6,925 of the deaths, representing a rate of 20.8 per 100,000,while women accounted for 2,275 deaths,with a rate of 6.4 per 100,000 – meaning men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. The observatory also noted a correlation between age and suicide rates, with rates increasing steadily from 2.7 per 100,000 among those under 25 to over 35 per 100,000 among individuals aged 85 and older. Regional variations in suicide rates are currently under further inquiry by the observatory,with preliminary data suggesting higher rates in rural areas of Brittany and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
This reversal of the long-term downward trend raises concerns about the impact of recent societal stressors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and increasing mental health challenges, particularly among young people. The French government launched a national suicide prevention strategy in 2023,allocating €30 million to support mental health services and awareness campaigns. The strategy
