The decline of the family and the future of geriatric suicide in South Korea

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among high-income countries, with past research placing limited focus on suicide among older adults and changing demographics. Using death registries and census data of South Korea, we examined geriatric suicide rates by sex, marital status, and education across birth cohorts. Over the past two decades, suicide rates declined mainly among highly educated single or divorced older adults. However, elevated rates persist among single or divorced men with low education. Projecting future trends, especially considering the growing never-married population and educational changes, we modeled several scenarios the impact of suicide prevention interventions ranging from 5%, 15%, to 30% reduction. Results suggest substantial suicide deaths among never-married, tertiary-educated men. As educational attainment rises and marriage rates decline, the demographic profile of geriatric suicide will shift upward educationally. Targeting tertiary-educated single men could yield the greatest impact in reducing suicide in South Korea.