Suicide rate among Hong Kong girls under 15 increases by more than 7 times

The suicide rate among girls under 15 in Hong Kong has increased by more than seven times, according to the latest data from a local university, while Kwun Tong has been flagged as the district with the highest number of such deaths among all young people.

Figures published by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong on Tuesday estimated the citywide rate for all ages was 13.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023, a slight decrease from 13.7 in 2022.

But the centre found the suicide rate for girls under 15 had risen from 0.5 in 2022 to 4.2 last year. The data also showed the level for women aged 60 and above last year was 11.7, down from 15.8 in 2022.

Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, the centre’s director, said the Covid-19 pandemic had hindered young people’s development during their formative years.

“There are scars developing [within young people],” he said. “Females tend to place more importance on peer relationships while males usually prefer being alone.”

The academic also cited the impact of lockdowns on school schedules.