Uruguay suicide rate reaches new record in 2022, cementing position as outlier in region

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The suicide rate in Uruguay increased once again last year, reaching a new record and cementing the small country’s position as an outlier in the region. The South American country’s suicide rate reached 23.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, when the number of deaths by suicide totaled 823, marking an increase from the previous record of 21.6 that had been set in 2021, according to figures from Uruguay’s Health Ministry released this week. “The pandemic, much like in numerous other areas of healthcare and mental health, mainly exacerbated a pre-existing trend, which was the increasing suicide rate.” Uruguay is by far an outlier in the Americas, where the average suicide rate was nine per 100,000 people in 2019, according to the latest available numbers by the World Health Organization. “Another very important factor is that there is little adherence to religion in Uruguay” compared to neighboring countries, Katz said, noting that the view of suicide as a sin “also creates a sense of restraint and deterrence.” Experts also speculate that Uruguay’s small population – totaling some 3 million – makes it more difficult for people who are facing mental health challenges to seek out help due to fear that they will be judged by members of their community. “It’s seen as a symbol of weakness.” Despite years of high suicide rates, Katz said only recently has Uruguay started to change its approach to tackle the scourge.