New figures are lowest since 2017
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Maree Todd has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling the underlying factors and inequalities which cause suicide, as the number of deaths by suicide reach their lowest level in the past eight years.
National Records of Scotland figures show that, whilst rates of probable deaths by suicide in the most deprived areas of Scotland have fallen by over 40% since 2001, the rates of probable deaths by suicide were still 2.7 times higher in the most deprived areas in 2025 than in the least deprived.
In January, the Scottish Government and COSLA published a national action plan, setting out Scotland’s priorities for suicide prevention over the next three years. Backed by least £3 million funding in 2026-27, the plan includes actions to reduce inequalities to prevent suicide deaths, including supporting people living in poverty.
Visiting Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust in Rutherglen, Ms Todd said: “Behind every one of these statistics is a person who leaves behind family and friends and a wider community. The effect is devastating and lasting, and our thoughts today are with everyone who have lost a loved one to suicide.
“Whilst the reduction shown in last year’s figures has been sustained, we are not complacent. Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need.
“We know that poverty is closely linked to poor mental health and suicide, and these figures show that people in our most deprived communities are still far more likely to die by suicide. That is why we are working with partners to invest in communities across Scotland, including Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust here in Rutherglen, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
“Our suicide prevention strategy with COSLA prioritises people at higher risk including those living in poverty. We will keep listening and learning, guided by evidence and by people with lived and living experience.”
COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Cllr Paul Kelly, said: “Every suicide is a tragedy that has a profound impact on families, friends, and communities. Today, our thoughts are with everyone affected by suicide.
“We know that suicide is complex and that the wider circumstances in people’s lives, including poverty and inequality, can increase the risk of suicide. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and local government is determined to do all that we can to address these wider factors.
“Across Scotland, local suicide prevention partnerships, people with lived and living experience, and community organisations such as Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust are doing crucial work to strengthen support and create hope in our communities.
“Through our national strategy, Creating Hope Together, COSLA and the Scottish Government are committed to working with partners across Scotland to prevent suicide, tackle inequalities, and ensure that people can access the support they need, when they need it.”
Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust Executive Director Mark Soanes said: “We work across communities, providing a wide range of activities – including a community radio station, which is mostly run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
“Our Healthy n Happy ‘Creating Hope in our Community’ campaign aims to support mental health and suicide prevention. We believe that everybody across the community, residents, public health, businesses or charities should share the responsibility, as this potentially affects everybody.
“This campaign is not just about raising awareness, it is about giving practical support right across the community to give people the tools to face and have conversations around mental health and suicide.”
The latest data published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows almost no change to the number of deaths by probable suicide in Scotland last year, says Suicide Prevention Scotland .
In 2025, 703 suicides were registered in Scotland. This represents a 0.14% reduction from 2024 (704 deaths, a 11% decrease from 2023).
Every one of those people who lost their lives are in our hearts and minds today, and that weighs heavily upon us.
The rate of probable suicide deaths in Scotland per 100,000 people (aged 10+ years) was 14.2 in 2025, which is the same as 2024. Last year there was a drop in the suicide rate of 16.1 from 2023, and this drop has been maintained.
Every number represents an individual, and the loss of any life to suicide is a profound tragedy that impacts families, friends, and entire communities.
Changes over time
Suicide statistics fluctuate from year to year, and examining patterns over-time allows for a better understanding.
Over the past five years, Scotland has seen a variation in suicide rates, with this year’s figure of 703 representing a decrease compared with the five-year average of 742 deaths (2021–2025).
Looking further back, the past decade shows an overall downward trend despite year-on-year changes, with 2024 and 2025 marking the lowest rates of probable suicide deaths per 100,000 since 2017 (14.0 per 100,000).
Gender and age
Men’s suicide rates remain three times higher than those of women, and this has been the case since 1994 when recording of suicide rates began, with men rates between 2.6 to 3.7 times as higher than females.
However, it does appear this decrease in suicide rates over the last two years is driven by a decrease in male suicides, with 67 less men dying by suicide than in 2023, compared to 19 fewer women.
The average age of death for probable suicides has increased over time, from 42 years in 2000 to 48.2 years in 2025. This year the average age of death by suicide has increased from 2024 (47.6 years).
In 2025, age-specific rates of probable suicide deaths were highest for those aged 45-64 years (19.9 per 100,000) followed by those aged 25-44 years (16.8). The lowest suicide rates are for those aged 10-24 years (6.1 per 100,000).
Lisa Marshall lost her husband to suicide in 2023. She reflected on today’s data and said: “703 lives lost to suicide is 703 too many. One fewer death than last year offers little comfort to the families whose lives have been changed forever.
“Behind every number is someone loved, missed and desperately wanted here.
“These figures cannot become something we simply accept.
“We need sustained funding for mental health services and the charities working on the frontline, alongside compassionate support for those bereaved.
“The stark link with deprivation must also drive action. Every life matters, and preventing these deaths must remain a priority.”
Suicide Prevention Scotland national delivery lead Haylis Smith said: “Today our thoughts are with everyone who lost someone to suicide in 2025.
“When you analyse the data in this work, you’re never looking at numbers, because behind every point on a graph is a human being who is now gone.
“In 2025 there was one fewer suicide than 2026, and although the five year average has declined for a second successive year, there’s little comfort, when you know the heartbreak that suicide leaves behind.
“We continue to work relentlessly to prevent suicide, in what is now the fourth year of the Creating Hope Together strategy.
“Importantly, people with lived and living experience are always at the heart of how we work together, alongside those with practice experience and academic expertise.
“Our work with marginalised communities, in at risk settings, how we respond to people in a suicide crisis, and supporting those who are bereaved are key parts of our programme.
“Co-produced public awareness campaigns, including our first TV advert in five years, have helped heighten people’s understanding that talking about suicide won’t put the idea in someone’s head.
“This work is far from complete, so we need to keep encouraging people to have open conversations, because no suicide ever need be inevitable.
“And as we well know from our documentary, What I want you to know, awareness is only the start. It has to become action.”
Analysis of the data is provided by Dr Karen Wetherall, a research fellow with the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory (SBRL) at the University of Glasgow.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
- Samaritans 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org
- Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
- NHS 24 mental health hub on 111
If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
