The main factors linked to suicides in the region are GDP growth, demographics, alcohol consumption, psychological factors, and climate temperature. Health expenditure appears to relate to reduced suicides but only for the entire population.

How many suicides are there in Lithuania?

Lithuania had 24.4 deaths by suicide per 100,000 population in 2017, the world's highest rate, with Latvia not far behind with 18.1 per 100,000, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Why does Lithuania have such a high death rate?

Looking at trends in more specific causes of death, ischaemic heart diseases and stroke remain the top two causes of death in Lithuania (Figure 3), with mortality rates four and two times above the EU average respectively. Lung cancer is now the third leading cause of death, a legacy of high smoking rates.