Bengaluru has recorded the highest suicide rate among all Indian cities, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022. The city reported 398 suicides, translating to a rate of 30.1 per 10 lakh population.
Karnataka as a whole also witnessed a significant increase in suicides, with 14,366 cases reported in 2022, a rise from 13,833 in 2021. This represents a 3.8% increase in suicides across the state. Bengaluru Urban district accounted for the largest share of these suicides within Karnataka.
The primary motives cited for suicides in Karnataka were family problems (3,564 cases), illness (2,738 cases), financial burden (2,489 cases), and failure in examination (1,339 cases). Marriage-related issues contributed to 1,188 suicides, while property disputes led to 488.
Interestingly, the data reveals a higher suicide rate among individuals aged 18-30 years in Karnataka. This age group accounted for 36.2% of all suicides in the state.
Nationally, India recorded a total of 1,78,924 suicides in 2022, showing a 4.3% increase from the previous year. While Bengaluru leads in rate, other cities with high suicide numbers include Delhi (323 cases) and Chennai (318 cases).
The NCRB data also highlights that a significant proportion of suicide victims were engaged in farming or were daily wage labourers. The report emphasizes the need for focused interventions to address the underlying causes of suicide, particularly among vulnerable populations. Experts suggest that mental health support systems need strengthening and accessibility needs to be improved. The data underscores the growing mental health crisis in urban areas and the importance of addressing socio-economic factors contributing to suicide.
