In 2004, 35 Icelanders committed suicide while 23 Icelanders were killed in automobile accidents, reports the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, RÚV. According to RÚV, in 2004, three times more males committed suicide than females, and of those 35 that killed themselves 20% were men under the age of 25.
RÚV reports that there are about 500 – 700 suicide attempts in Iceland every year. From 2002 – 2004, the suicide rate of men has increased from year to year: in 2002, 19 males committed suicide; 20 in 2003 and 26 in 2004. In 2002, nine Icelandic women committed suicide; six in 2003 and nine in 2004.
In 2004, there were two suicides of individuals younger than 19 years of age and seven suicides of individuals younger than 25 years of age. The oldest Icelander to commit suicide in 2004 was an 83 year old male, seven individuals over 65 that committed suicide last year.
The total suicide figures for 2002 were 28; 26 for 2003; and 35 for 2004. When compared to deaths in traffic accidents, 29 died in 2002, 23 in 2003 and 23 in 2004.
RÚV reports that twice as many males die in automobile accidents compared to females.
