3 December 2025
(A) Executive Summary
New analysis from the research organisation, Centre of Policy Research on Men and Boys (CPRMB), on the latest published (October 2025) Office for National Statistics suicide figures (up to and including 2024, and, starting at 1981) highlight significant, concerning and startling figures statistics with respect to Welsh men:
- The highest male rate since Office for National Statistics’ records began in 1981;
- The suicide rate for Welsh men is now higher than any other country in the United Kingdom (Scotland, until 2024 was the highest);
- 337 Welsh men died by suicide in 2024, the highest number on record;
- This century (2000-2024), 6,273 Welsh men have died by suicide;
- Suicide is the biggest killer for men under 50 in Wales;
- Welshmen make up three in every four suicides in Wales in 2024 (77%);
- Overall male mortality rates (2024) are still not lower than in the pre-pandemic period, albeit are falling.
(B) Analysis
(1) Suicide Rates
The male suicide rate in Wales (25.0 per 100,000 in 2024) is not just the highest this century, it is the highest since Office for National Statistic records began (1981). The previous highest rate was 24.5 per 100,000 in 2013.
For context, in 2024, the suicide rate for women in Wales 6.8 per 100,000. The highest rate since 2017 (7.0).
Figure 1: Suicide Rates per 100,000 in Wales by Sex (1981-2024)
(2) Suicide Numbers
In 2024, 337 Welsh men (296 in 2023 at a rate of 22.0 per 100,000) lost their lives to suicide (the highest on record). That is 6.5 per week (nearly one per day)
For context, 99 women (90 in 2023 at a rate of 6.3 per 100,000) lost their lives to suicide. The highest number since 1984.
(3) Suicide Age Range
The highest suicide rate for men by age in Wales is in the 45–49-year-old age bracket (41.2 per 100,000). The most common female age is for those aged 50-54 is (11.5 per 100,000).
Figure 2: Suicide Rates per 100,000 in Wales by Sex and Age (2024)
(4) Century Numbers
This century (2000-2024), 6,273 Welshmen have died by suicide (1,820 women).
(5) Increases over time
Since 1981, the Welsh male rate has increased by 56%. The female rate has decreased by 24%
(6) Male /Female Ratio
Whilst it is not a competition/zero-sum game, Welsh men make up three in every four suicides in Wales in 2024 (77%).
(7) Suicide is joining biggest killer of men under 50
Suicide is the biggest killer for men under 50 in Wales. 176 men under 50 lost their lives in 2024. The next highest is accidental poisoning (167) – for too many men, that is another “death of despair”. (ONS mortality figures, 2024 – published in October 2025)
(8) Comparison with other UK nations
Up until 2024, Scotland had the highest suicide rate of the four UK nations. In 2024, Wales took over as Scotland’s rate decreased to 19.3 per 100,000.
The rates in England are 17.0 per 100,000 (2024) and 20.9 per 100,000 in Norther Ireland (2023)
(9) Local rates
Blaenau Gwent / Blaenau Gwent has the highest overall suicide rates in Wales. These figures are not broken down by sex though (the ONS do not produce breakdowns by sex).
| Blaenau Gwent / Blaenau Gwent | 20.1 |
| Monmouthshire / Sir Fynwy | 19.4 |
| Merthyr Tydfil / Merthyr Tudful | 19.0 |
| Gwynedd / Gwynedd | 18.2 |
| Isle of Anglesey / Ynys Môn | 17.3 |
| Pembrokeshire / Sir Benfro | 16.8 |
| Caerphilly / Caerffili | 16.7 |
| Torfaen / Tor-faen | 16.4 |
| Conwy / Conwy | 16.3 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf / Rhondda Cynon Taf | 15.0 |
| Neath Port Talbot / Castell-nedd Port Talbot | 14.4 |
| Bridgend / Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr | 14.2 |
| Carmarthenshire / Sir Gaerfyrddin | 13.9 |
| Swansea / Abertawe | 13.1 |
| Denbighshire / Sir Ddinbych | 12.9 |
| Powys / Powys | 12.9 |
| Wrexham / Wrecsam | 12.7 |
| Newport / Casnewydd | 12.2 |
| Flintshire / Sir y Fflint | 11.4 |
| Vale of Glamorgan / Bro Morgannwg | 10.7 |
| Cardiff / Caerdydd | 10.7 |
| Ceredigion / Ceredigion | 8.4 |
(10) Mortality Rates
The latest ONS published male mortality rates* (2024) show that for Welsh men they are still higher than in the pre-pandemic period (2019), albeit are falling.
The new figures also published in October 2025 (ONS mortality figures, 2024) show that the mortality rate in 2024 for Welsh men was 1,190 per 100,000 while in 2019, it was 1,187.8 – the 2023 rate was 1,236.9.
For context, the mortality rate for Welsh women in 2024 was 872.7 which is lower than in 2019, when it was 885.4.
* Known as the Age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) a statistic that measures the number of deaths per 100,000 people after adjusting for the age distribution of a population
(C) Policy Proposals
Men’s Health Strategy for Wales
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, announced a Men’s Health Strategy for England on International men’s Day (19 November 2025) , the first of its kind in the UK. The Greater London Assembly also launched a report on Men’s Mental Health in London on the same day and Birmingham also now has a Men’s Health Strategy. There are strategies elsewhere such as in Ireland and Australia. There is also a Women’s Health Strategy for England.
There is also a Women’s Health Plan in Wales (launched December 2024) which is good of course, but there is no such plan for men in Wales.
A men’s health strategy should be developed for Wales.
Male Suicide Prevention Strategy and/or Male Suicide Prevention Taskforce for Wales
The Welsh Government’s suicide prevention and self-harm strategy which was launched on 1 April 2025 and there is no substantive reference to men specifically, let alone specific research and actions. (see references in Annex 1)
There is no reference to increasing Welsh male suicide rates (including numbers) or the context with the rest of UK.
The outcomes framework does not seem to have any specific SMART outcomes such as reducing male suicide rates.
The Welsh Government also launched a National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Research at the University of Swansea – led by Professor Ann John. This is hugely welcomed. They produced some world-first research on suicide/suicide ideation which showed that two to three babies lose their fathers to suicide every week across the UK.
Whilst there is the overarching strategy, it does not give any specific focus on male suicide and its increase.
A specific male suicide prevention strategy/plan or taskforce for Wales should be developed.
Annex 1
Comments referencing men in Wales’ Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Strategy
We know that self‑harm and suicide can affect anyone at any age. However, the groups with the highest prevalence rates are different for suicide than they are for self‑harm. The evidence suggests that suicide is most prevalent in middle aged men between 30‑55 in Wales and self‑harm is most prominent amongst young girls between the ages of 15 and 19. This is fundamental in terms of the different pressures each group will be facing, and people’s experiences of stigma.
The adult years present a particularly difficult time for people with:
• work and financial pressures
• parenting responsibilities
• physical and mental health illnesses
• issues with substances
• relationship challenges.
There are particular challenges faced by women and men during these years.
Women may face challenges linked with pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.
Men may face distinct challenges linked with stigma.
At the time of writing this strategy this age group are the most vulnerable to suicidal behaviour and there is a heightened need for targeted and meaningful interventions that make it easier for people to find and access the right support.
——————————————–
Male Comments in the Action Plan
Samaritans run a Male Suicide Prevention Campaign with a focus on increasing help seeking behaviour amongst men and promoting better listening.
Collaborate on the development and delivery of the next steps of the Sound Campaign, which engages with men and boys to create safe spaces to safely talk about issues such as relationship problems, coping mechanisms, emotional regulation and problematic behaviours to try to reduce the risk of violence against women and girls.
——————————————-
Male Comments in Outcomes Framework
No mention or target
——————————————
Support
If you need support, please contact @Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org and other organisations listed on the @nhs-wales website https://111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/s/article/suicidalthoughts