Factors Associated With Suicide Attempts and Deaths in Mongolia From 2016 to 2023: Socioeconomic and Demographic Analysis

PurposeTo identify the socio-demographic determinants and temporal changes of suicide attempts and deaths in Mongolia.MethodsNational injury surveillance and population data of Mongolia (2016-2023) were used to calculate annual rates of suicide attempts and deaths per 10,000 population with stratification by age, sex, and geographic region. Temporal changes were assessed by calculation of annual percentage changes (APCs). For education and occupation, relative count ratios (CRs) were used to compare the distribution of cases across categories.ResultsThere were 5,846 suicide attempts and 3,266 suicide deaths during the study period. Ulaanbaatar had the highest rate of suicide attempts (3.6/10,000), but rural areas and Ulaanbaatar had similar rates of suicide deaths (1.2 vs. 1.3/10,000). Suicide deaths rose sharply from 2016 to 2023, particularly among rural females (APC = 33.7) and rural males (APC = 36.8). Notably, individuals with only primary or middle school education had the highest CRs for suicide attempts (Ulaanbaatar CR = 6.4, rural CR = 4.9) and suicide deaths (Ulaanbaatar CR = 6.7, rural CR = 6.3). Geographical disparities were notable among rural areas, and Khuvsgul Province (1.9/10,000) had the highest rate of suicide deaths.ConclusionBetween 2016 and 2023, Mongolia experienced a steep increase in rural suicide deaths. Although Ulaanbaatar had a higher rate of suicide attempts, rural areas had a higher rate of suicide deaths. Age, sex, education, and area of residence had pronounced associations with these outcomes. Two of the groups with the highest observed burden were young adults and rural males; conversely, those who completed higher education showed the lowest observed frequency of events.