Suicide in the People's Republic of China
Encyclopedia
Statistics on suicide in the People's Republic of China
are somewhat controversial in that independent studies often produce estimates that are greatly at odds with official statistics provided by the country's government. On the basis of data gathered in 1999, the government estimated an overall rate of 13.9, much lower than in the total rate in other East Asia
n countries: Japan
(24.4) and Korea
(21.9). However, based on the same data source the Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Centre estimated an average rate of 28.7, whilst the Global Burden of Disease study estimated an overall rate of 30.3. Wide disagreement on statistics between the Chinese government and independent researchers is common on everything from traffic accident statistics to government military spending.
Suicide in the People's Republic of China is unique among countries of the world in that more women than men commit suicide
each year: according to official government statistics, in 1999 the rate per 100,000 people was 13.0 for men and 14.8 for women, the highest female suicide rate in the world. According to official government statistics the male rate (13.0 per 100,000 men per year) is lower than in many other countries, including some Western countries, such as the United States
, Australia
and Germany
.
On the basis of a 2008 study, rather different conclusions are reached. female suicides outnumber male suicides by a 3:1 ratio; rural suicides outnumber urban suicides by a 3:1 ratio; a large upsurge of young adult and older adult suicides has occurred; a comparatively high national suicide rate two to three times the global average is evident; and a low rate of psychiatric illness, particularly clinical depression
, exists in suicide victims. There are over 300,000 suicides in China annually. China accounts for more than 30% of the world's suicides. The suicide rate in the Yangtze Basin
is about 40% higher than in the rest of China.
sometimes influences suicide . Confucius
wrote, "For gentlemen of purpose and men of ren
while it is inconceivable that they should seek to stay alive at the expense of ren, it may happen that they have to accept death in order to have ren accomplished." Mencius
wrote:
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
are somewhat controversial in that independent studies often produce estimates that are greatly at odds with official statistics provided by the country's government. On the basis of data gathered in 1999, the government estimated an overall rate of 13.9, much lower than in the total rate in other East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
n countries: Japan
Suicide in Japan
Suicide in Japan has become a significant problem nationally. Factors in suicide include unemployment , depression, and social pressures. In 2007, the National Police Agency revised the categorization of motives for suicide into a division of 50 reasons with up to three reasons listed for each...
(24.4) and Korea
Suicide in South Korea
Suicide in South Korea occurs at the highest suicide rate among the 30 OECD countries, having recently surpassed Japan's rate. The toll of suicide deaths in South Korea has doubled in the last decade....
(21.9). However, based on the same data source the Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Centre estimated an average rate of 28.7, whilst the Global Burden of Disease study estimated an overall rate of 30.3. Wide disagreement on statistics between the Chinese government and independent researchers is common on everything from traffic accident statistics to government military spending.
Suicide in the People's Republic of China is unique among countries of the world in that more women than men commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
each year: according to official government statistics, in 1999 the rate per 100,000 people was 13.0 for men and 14.8 for women, the highest female suicide rate in the world. According to official government statistics the male rate (13.0 per 100,000 men per year) is lower than in many other countries, including some Western countries, such as the United States
Suicide in the United States
Suicide in the United States is the 11th leading cause of death in the country. In 2006, the total number of suicide deaths was 33,300. It was the 7th leading cause of death for males, and 16th leading cause of death for females. Suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
On the basis of a 2008 study, rather different conclusions are reached. female suicides outnumber male suicides by a 3:1 ratio; rural suicides outnumber urban suicides by a 3:1 ratio; a large upsurge of young adult and older adult suicides has occurred; a comparatively high national suicide rate two to three times the global average is evident; and a low rate of psychiatric illness, particularly clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, exists in suicide victims. There are over 300,000 suicides in China annually. China accounts for more than 30% of the world's suicides. The suicide rate in the Yangtze Basin
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
is about 40% higher than in the rest of China.
Working Conditions and Suicide
Working conditions in Chinese factories have been reported as a factor in suicides. In 2011, it was reported that "At least 14 workers at Foxconn factories in China have killed themselves in the last 16 months as a result of horrendous working conditions."Suicide in Chinese philosophy
Chinese philosophyChinese philosophy
Chinese philosophy is philosophy written in the Chinese tradition of thought. The majority of traditional Chinese philosophy originates in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States era, during a period known as the "Hundred Schools of Thought", which was characterized by significant intellectual and...
sometimes influences suicide . Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
wrote, "For gentlemen of purpose and men of ren
Ren (Confucianism)
Ren is a Confucian notion denoting, as rough approximation, the good feeling a virtuous human experiences when behaving rightly, especially toward others...
while it is inconceivable that they should seek to stay alive at the expense of ren, it may happen that they have to accept death in order to have ren accomplished." Mencius
Mencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
wrote:
See also
- List of countries by suicide rate
- Suicide in JapanSuicide in JapanSuicide in Japan has become a significant problem nationally. Factors in suicide include unemployment , depression, and social pressures. In 2007, the National Police Agency revised the categorization of motives for suicide into a division of 50 reasons with up to three reasons listed for each...
- Suicide in South KoreaSuicide in South KoreaSuicide in South Korea occurs at the highest suicide rate among the 30 OECD countries, having recently surpassed Japan's rate. The toll of suicide deaths in South Korea has doubled in the last decade....
- Shame societyShame societyIn cultural anthropology, a shame society is the concept that, in a given society, the primary device for gaining control over children and maintaining social order is the inculcation of shame and the complementary threat of ostracism...
- SalarymanSalarymanrefers to someone whose income is salary based; particularly those working for corporations. Its frequent use by Japanese corporations, and its prevalence in Japanese manga and anime has gradually led to its acceptance in English-speaking countries as a noun for a Japanese white-collar...