Age-Related Patterns of Female Suicide in Türkiye: A 15-Year Nationwide Analysis of Reported Reasons and Methods

Suicide is a major public health problem worldwide, and its reported reasons and methods show marked variation by gender and age. Although suicide rates are generally higher among men, suicides among women demonstrate distinct sociodemographic and age-related patterns that remain insufficiently explored. In Türkiye, national suicide statistics are available; however, nationwide, age-stratified analyses focusing exclusively on women are limited. This study aimed to investigate long-term trends, age-related differences in reported reasons and methods of suicide among women in Türkiye, and to provide insights relevant to age- and gender-sensitive prevention strategies. This retrospective, nationwide descriptive study analysed female suicide data obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute between 2009 and 2023. A total of 12,868 female suicide cases were included (mean age 36.5 ± 19.3 years). Data were evaluated according to year, age group, marital status, educational level, suicide cause, and suicide method. Causes and methods were classified based on official administrative categories. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between age groups and suicide causes and methods were assessed using Pearson’s chi-square test. During the 15-year study period, 12,868 women died by suicide in Türkiye. The annual suicide rate ranged from 1.81 to 2.46 per 100,000 population, with the lowest rate observed in 2017 and the highest in 2022. Among all age groups, the most frequent cause of suicide was illness, especially in women aged 45 and older. The proportion of suicides due to illness was 13.9% in the 15–24 age group, 24.6% in 25–34, 41.0% in 45–54, and 42.3% in 55–64 (p < 0.001). Emotional and relationship-related causes were more prevalent among younger women, particularly in the 15–24 age group (4.8%), but declined significantly with age (p < 0.001). Economic hardship was the least cited cause overall, especially among women under 35 (p < 0.001). Regarding methods of suicide, hanging was the most common method in all age groups and increased with age—35.8% in 15–24, 55.1% in 45–54, and 63.5% in 75+ age group (p < 0.001). The use of chemical substances peaked in the 15–24 age group (12.4%) and declined in older women (5.8% in 75+). Firearm use showed a significant inverse relationship with age, from 24.6% in those under 15 to 0.8% in women aged 75 and over (p < 0.001). These age-related differences in both the causes and methods of suicide were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Female suicide in Türkiye exhibits pronounced age-dependent differences in both causes and methods. Illness-related suicides and hanging predominate in older age groups, while younger women show a more diverse pattern of reported reasons and methods. The high prevalence of nonspecific classifications highlights limitations in current suicide reporting systems. These findings underscore the need for improved suicide classification, enhanced surveillance, and age- and gender-sensitive prevention strategies tailored to women across the lifespan.