Suicide, self-harm, and suicide-related behaviours in Canada: Suicidal ideation

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• Context
• Suicidal ideation in Canada
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Context

In this section, we present statistics on suicidal ideation, or thoughts of suicide, in youth and adults. The data presented on this page is likely an underestimation, as stigma may prevent some people from reporting thoughts of suicide. For statistics on other suicide-related behaviours in Canada, including suicide attempts and suicide plans, please visit the Data tool tab.

Suicidal ideation in Canada

Key findings

Among youth aged 12 to 17 in Canada:

• In 2023, 8.4% of youth in Canada reported experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months.
• The prevalence of suicidal ideation varies across the country. Among youth, the prevalence of thoughts of suicide is higher than the national average in Alberta and lower than the national average in Quebec.
• Older youth (aged 15-17) had twice the rate of suicidal ideation than younger youth (aged 12-14).
• The proportion of girls who experienced suicidal ideation in the past 12 months is higher than the proportion in boys, especially among younger youth. Among those aged 12 to 14, the prevalence of suicidal ideation in 4 times the prevalence in boys.

Among adults aged 18 and older in Canada:

• In 2019-2020, 2.6% of Canadian adults had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months.
• The prevalence of suicidal ideation varies across the country. Among adults, the prevalence of thoughts of suicide is higher than the national average in Nova Scotia and lower than the national average in Quebec.
• Suicidal ideation is most common among young adults. Adults aged 18 to 24 report the highest prevalence of suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months (6.6%), substantially higher than all older age groups.
• Prevalence of suicidal ideation declines steadily with age, from 6.6% among adults aged 18 to 24 years, to 3.1% among those aged 25 to 44 years, and to about 1.0% among those aged 65 years and older.
• Sex differences are primarily observed among young adults. Women aged 18 to 24 years report higher prevalence than men, while rates are similar for women and men in older age groups.

Figure 1: Prevalence of experiencing thoughts of suicide in the past 12 months among in Canada (excluding the territories), by province and territory, ...

Notes

• Data for youth is from the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth. Data for adults is from the 2019 and 2020 Canadian Community Health Surveys.
• An 'E' next to a percentage shows that this data has a high level of variability. Interpret with caution.
• The 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth covers youth living in the ten provinces. As it excludes youth living in the 3 territories, data are not available (N/A) and therefore not shown.
• 'Suppressed' means that the estimate wasn't released for the province or territory due to high variability.

• Learn more:
  • Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth
  • Canadian Community Health Survey: Annual component

Figure 1: Text description

Figure 2: Prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide in the past 12 months among in Canada (excluding the territories), by age group and sex, ...

Notes

• Data for youths is from the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth. Data for adults is from the 2019 and 2020 Canadian Community Health Surveys.
• The 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth covers youth living in the ten provinces and excludes those living in the 3 territories.

• Learn more:
  • Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth
  • Canadian Community Health Survey: Annual component

Figure 2: Text description

Suggested citation

Public Health Agency of Canada. Suicide, self-harm and suicide-related behaviours in Canada: .... Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; ....