Income disparity and suicide rates: evidence from countries

Abstract

With the increasing global instability, countries are widely confronting the issue of expanding income disparity. High suicide rates have also emerged as a significant challenge. Therefore, clarifying the relationship between income disparity and suicide rates is an urgent priority. We analyze the relationship between income disparity and suicide rates based on the strain theory of suicide, using empirical data from 158 countries worldwide between 2000 and 2019. The findings are as follows: First, the widening income disparity leads to an increase in suicide rates, with each unit increase in income disparity resulting in a 0.162 unit rise in suicide rates. Second, income disparity exacerbates suicide rates by lowering the level of social governance. In countries with lower social governance, the impact of income disparity on suicide rates is stronger. Improving social governance helps mitigate the impact of income disparity on suicide rates. Third, male suicide rates, suicide rates in low-income and middle-income countries, and suicide rates in war-affected countries are more sensitive to changes in income disparity. This article enriches and expands the research on income disparity and suicide rates, providing deeper insights into the impact of income disparity on suicide rates. The conclusions offer critical guidance for governments in curbing the trend of rising suicide rates due to income disparity by enhancing social governance and formulating relevant policies.