A record number of people in the United States died of suicide last year, while the country's suicide rate reached the highest level in over 80 years

A record number of people in the United States died of suicide last year, while the country's suicide rate reached the highest level in over 80 years, per Axios.

In 2022, approximately 49,449 individuals died by suicide, marking a 3% increase from the 48,183 deaths recorded in 2021, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics in a publication released early Wednesday. The suicide rate rose by 1% in 2022 to 14.3 deaths per 100,000, up from 14.1 per 100,000 in 2021, representing the highest rate since 1941, according to the report.

The authors noted that the final data for 2022 is expected to show a higher number of suicides as additional death certificates with pending causes are confirmed as suicides. The report revealed variations by sex, with a 1% increase in the suicide rate for males and a 4% increase for females in 2022 compared to 2021. Among males, younger age groups experienced a decline, while those 35 and older saw an increase.

For females, rates decreased for those 24 and younger and rose for those 25 and older. Despite a higher percentage increase for females, the provisional number of suicides for males in 2022 was nearly four times that of females. By age, rates decreased for those under 34 and increased for those 35 and older, with the highest rate observed in those aged 75 and older and the lowest in the 10 to 14 age group. Disparities in race/ethnicity were also noted, with American Indians/Alaska Natives having the highest rate, albeit showing a 5% decrease in 2022 compared to 2021, the only group experiencing a decline, though statistically insignificant.