Suicides rise to new high among young women under 30

The number of suicides among young women under 30 increased to an all-time high in 2024, according to new figures from CBS Dutch statistics office.

Although the number of suicides overall remained stable at 1,849 – an average of five a day – the body reported that last year 117 women between 10 and 30 committed suicide.

Among Dutch teenagers , the most common cause of death is suicide, with a fifth of deaths attributed to this. The growing proportion of self-inflicted deaths in young people is, however, partly due to a decrease in traffic accidents. “A traffic accident was the cause of death for 40% of teenagers who died in 1975, while suicide was 4%,” said the CBS in a news release.

Although the group most vulnerable to suicide since 2007 has been people between the ages of 50 and 60, concerns have also been growing about the mental health of young people in the Netherlands.

A CBS report on Wednesday found that the high quality of life for older Dutch people was at the cost of younger generations , who have to pay twice as much for housing as people did 10 years ago. It said that while most Dutch people report high levels of happiness, work pays comparatively less, housing is increasingly expensive and in short supply and nature is under pressure.

Concerns were raised by government party NSC last year about an increase in euthanasia granted to young people under 30, including for psychiatric reasons. Experts such as Amsterdam university professor Damiaan Denys have also expressed disquiet about this trend – although advocates say that for some people suffering unbearably and without prospect of relief, euthanasia is a better option than a traumatic suicide.

Myron van Gerhardt, a VVD councilor in Amsterdam who is planning a policy proposal on supporting mental health in young professionals, said the figures show that some people are falling through the net. “The fact that suicide is increasing among young women, who should feel in the prime of their lives, is hugely worrying,” he said. “We need to break through the taboo around talking about it.”

Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can call or chat anonymously by calling the helpline 113, or 0800-0113 or online at 113.nl .