How do socio-demographic, economic, and environmental determinants influence suicide rates in Spain? A geospatial analysis

As part of a study examining the relationship between social determinants and suicide mortality at the provincial level, we aimed to analyze the geographical variability and the relationship between suicide rates and social, economic, and environmental factors in Spain during 2023. The objective was to observe the distribution of suicide rates by province and examine the influence of socio-demographic, economic, and environmental factors such as population density, aging rates, life expectancy, provincial crime rates, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The main results indicate a notable territorial disparity in suicide rates among Spanish provinces. Those with higher rates shared characteristics of an aging population, higher crime indices, and a larger proportion of rural areas. Similarly, an increase in the food CPI was also related to higher mortality rates. The analysis revealed that demographic and atmospheric factors significantly influence suicide rates. The attached figure shows the distribution of the relative risk (RR) of suicide, controlled for the socio-demographic, economic, and environmental factors studied. It is observed that the provinces with a higher risk of suicide mortality are concentrated in the Northwestern and Northeastern peninsular regions, as well as in some areas of the East (provinces of Guadalajara, Barcelona, Alicante, and Lugo).

To sum up, this study stresses that suicide rates show considerable heterogeneity across the Spain regions. Factors such as isolation, exposure to criminality, an increased rate of aging population, and rising food prices appear to have a strong association with higher suicide rates, sometimes outweighing the impact of income levels. The study emphasizes the importance of considering the multifactorial nature of suicide mortality, claiming for comprehensive prevention strategies.

Research by: Ivan Perez-Diez, Mencia La Calle-Rodriguez-Peña, Jose Luis Corral-Martinez, and Alejandro de la Torre-Luque.

Complutense University of Madrid. National Plataform of Suicide Prevention. Spain