The effect of economic and social factors on the suicidal behavior of society in Iran (with emphasis on risk and economic instability)

Suicide is a global public health concern. Identifying factors related to suicide can improve risk classification and help targeted interventions for high-risk groups. In fact, effective suicide prevention requires a comprehensive understanding of risk factors. In this study, in addition to economic and social factors affecting suicide, the amount of risk and economic instability is also considered.

In order to determine the index of risk and instability at the macroeconomic level, an index of the average variance of the three variables of inflation rate, economic growth rate and the percentage of exchange rate changes in the parallel currency market has been made. Then, with the aim of providing economic and social strategies to prevent suicide, the impact of each macroeconomic and social factor on suicide has been estimated using the ordinary least squares regression method during the period of 2001 to 2020.

The estimation results show that the general level variables of prices, divorce, crime rate, income inequality in society as well as economic instability have a positive effect on suicide, and employment variables and the age ratio of the 50 to 69-year-old population to the rest of the country's population have a negative effect on suicide.

Despite the influence of macro-economic and social factors on the suicide rate in Iran, it is worth considering the significant impact of the inequality of income distribution in the society on the suicide rate. Considering this significant effect on the suicide rate, reducing inequality is actually an economic solution that the country's politicians can implement.