Suicide among older adults in Austria

The study examined suicides among older adults in Austria during 2014-2023 in a sample of 2,442,939 people aged 65 years and older. During this period, 4,724 older adults died by suicide in Austria. The overall suicide rate was 23.4 per 100,000 person-years, with males having higher rates than females. Suicide rates increased with age and peaked among the oldest-old (85+ years) at 33.2 per 100,000. The most common methods were hanging, firearms, and jumping, with hanging becoming increasingly prevalent with age. Among those who died by suicide, widowhood and cardiovascular and genitourinary disorders were more prevalent with increasing age. The results emphasize the need for specific preventive strategies targeting older adults at different stages of aging.