Is religion the main thing that keeps suicide rates low in underdeveloped countries?

[Misanthrope0000]

Just a little disclaimer that this post is not promoting religion in any way, I'm asking this question because I myself from an underdeveloped Islamic country (Tunisia) and I've noticed that suicide rates are usually higher in developed countries like US, Japan Korea etc despite having a life that we only can dream of.
And what I've noticed about developed countries is that they lack religion, and may have a higher chance to commit successful attempts like Americans with guns or japanese with strong drugs.

Everyone faces difficulties no matter where they live, but for us, we live in poverty, pollution, a crippled society where mental illness isn't even taken seriously, surrounded by judgmental people, garbage everywhere, we don't even have privileges to live in a clean environment or truly enjoy life.

The average person here is not happy at all, the amount of times I've heard people saying "if suicide wasn't Haram I would've killed myself already" from "happy" Tunisians that claim they're happy and not depressed at all is not crazy, and the scary thing is that they're not even joking. Most of them have this believe that the earth is a prison and that they should "survive" in order to win the afterlife, which makes them continue living despite wanting to die, not to mention the beliefs they have that god loves them so much that he made them suffer just to test them wnd reward them with the afterlife, meanwhile people that have a good life with no difficulties are going to hell.

But we see our life everyday, at least the average person in third world countries, we mostly live in poverty, pollution, very low salary, that our life isn't considered a life anymore but survival, a lot of basic things such as clean environment, concerts, tech jobs, international shopping and money transfer, concerts, traveling etc isn't even accessible here, even practicing your hobbies such as playing guitar, getting in art clubs costs way too much money, is religion really the only thing that keeps these people alive? Or the lack of accessible stuff that makes the attempt "safe" such as guns, high drugs, tall buildings, SN etc also play a role? I would seriously expect people in the third to have the highest suicide rates, I've never met a person here that genuinely wants to live instead of surviving, even the ones that have the desire to live all want to leave the country. It's just shocking to me that when I talk about wanting to die because this life is meaningless, people act like I'm crazy, despite how normalized it is to treat life in our countries as just survival and how normalized it is to talk about how you'd want to die if it was halal, the way people only see life as a hardcore survival game to win the afterlife. Like seriously what's the reason that keeps the suicide rates low in underdeveloped countries? Religion? Unaccessible successful method? Or perhaps settling down for a shitty life?

 

[EvisceratedJester]

The suicide in developing countries is generally not lower compared to the suicide rate in developed nations.

Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world. In fact, close to three quarters (73%) of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2021.

Suicide

Every year more than 700 000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide.

www.who.int

To add to this, the suicide rate in Japan has been in decline for quite some time.

In reality, religion probably contributes more to an underreporting of suicide. It is already hard to obtain good-quality data on suicide from many developing nations, with there being little to no data on suicides for more than half of the world's countries. Issues with non-reporting tend to especially be bad in Muslim-majority countries due to the stigma surrounding the topic thanks to the religion, with some of these countries even considering suicide to be a criminal offence. More than 50 of the non-reporting countries have majority Muslim populations.

 

[JayJay]

I believe the reason that suicide is lower in religious countries is because religion fills a void for existential dread. Religions throughout history has given people moral frameworks and gave higher meaning to life. Without religion/spirituality, people just believe in the scientific dogma of this reality that creates no room for interpretation. They become solipsistic and eventually become a Reddit atheist arguing at any hint of God or a higher power. Basically trying to disprove religion becomes their new religion. Or they just see life as pointless pain and suffering that has no meaning and become nihilistic or indulge in hedonistic indulgences. If the CIA used psychics to find the ark of the covenant, which is a secular institution, then I believe that spirituality is true.

 

[northevelyn]

I like your insight

 

[Kali_Yuga13]

Interesting, Seven out of the ten lowest suicide rate countries are Muslim. Palestine, Syria and Lebanon are the lowest. I think spirituality is a factor. The secular atheism of the modern world isn't very good for mental heath despite the "experts" insisting it's the more intelligent stance.

There's also different drivers. In South Korea suicides by the elderly drive the numbers whereas in Japan it's young adult males and for China it's women.

Suicide Rate by Country 2025

worldpopulationreview.com

 

[bananaolympus]

Don't think so many under and developing countries have major homicide problems and murder is like the worst thing to do in many religions

 

[Forever Sleep]

It's an interesting idea. I'm sure it plays a part. I think maybe families and communities are tighter in developing countries perhaps also. Many people on this forum even live very isolated lives. Meaning they don't have large support groups. Also perhaps, they feel less obligation to stay for other people- if they simply aren't there!

I think you could be right about expectations too. Those in first world countries are taught to expect a lot out of life. It's what makes us buy stuff we probably don't need. I think there are also expectations placed upon us to be someone. So- we expect a lot and, a lot is expected of us.

We also live very unnatural lives- likely spending so much time indoors- between our workplace and home.

Plus, we have no comparison. We have likely been pampered to an extent from birth. Just as a person who's had to struggle for the bare necessities from birth likely also knows no different. I doubt many of us first world softies would cope well in third world conditions.

As for methods, it depends on the country I imagine. The UK isn't so great for accessible suicide methods. It's quite a 'nanny state'. In a way, I imagine customs etc. may actually be more relaxed in third world nations although, I don't know really. I suppose I just assume they wouldn't have the funds to restrict a lot of things fully.

 

[rozeske]

Yes, religion is the main thing that keeps most going even when they wish to no longer exist. It makes you indure life in fear of damnation and in hopes of heaven. Which is a lot easier to do when you believe life on earth is suffering and a test. Suicide is not only a sin but also a very tabu subject to mention, let alone talk about. This facts make suicide a very rare occurrence. Even when it does, It's not openly mentioned. It's only when you witness suicide, be it on the news or people around you that you start seeing it as a reality and start considering it as a possibility.

 

[Confusedsoul12345]

From my personal experience answer is yes.The only reason I could decide to CTB was letting go of my religious believes.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

I'm asking this question because I myself from an underdeveloped Islamic country (Tunisia) and I've noticed that suicide rates are usually higher in developed countries like US, Japan Korea etc despite having a life that we only can dream of.

Are suicide rates really lower or is there just not accurate data available or made public in respective countries?

Religion may stop a lot of people from committing bc they fear hell (especially in Islam) - the religion that penetrates people's personal lives the most and takes control over their thoughts and decisions.

 

[Higurashi415]

As others have pointed out, underdeveloped countries tend to underreport stuff for various reasons, and the ones that are very religious have even more reason to underreport it. Also, suicide rates seem to depend more on relative poverty rather than absolute poverty, thus absolute poverty has likely nothing to do with it.

 

[xoxo24]

Just a little disclaimer that this post is not promoting religion in any way, I'm asking this question because I myself from an underdeveloped Islamic country (Tunisia) and I've noticed that suicide rates are usually higher in developed countries like US, Japan Korea etc despite having a life that we only can dream of.
And what I've noticed about developed countries is that they lack religion, and may have a higher chance to commit successful attempts like Americans with guns or japanese with strong drugs.

Everyone faces difficulties no matter where they live, but for us, we live in poverty, pollution, a crippled society where mental illness isn't even taken seriously, surrounded by judgmental people, garbage everywhere, we don't even have privileges to live in a clean environment or truly enjoy life.

The average person here is not happy at all, the amount of times I've heard people saying "if suicide wasn't Haram I would've killed myself already" from "happy" Tunisians that claim they're happy and not depressed at all is not crazy, and the scary thing is that they're not even joking. Most of them have this believe that the earth is a prison and that they should "survive" in order to win the afterlife, which makes them continue living despite wanting to die, not to mention the beliefs they have that god loves them so much that he made them suffer just to test them wnd reward them with the afterlife, meanwhile people that have a good life with no difficulties are going to hell.

But we see our life everyday, at least the average person in third world countries, we mostly live in poverty, pollution, very low salary, that our life isn't considered a life anymore but survival, a lot of basic things such as clean environment, concerts, tech jobs, international shopping and money transfer, concerts, traveling etc isn't even accessible here, even practicing your hobbies such as playing guitar, getting in art clubs costs way too much money, is religion really the only thing that keeps these people alive? Or the lack of accessible stuff that makes the attempt "safe" such as guns, high drugs, tall buildings, SN etc also play a role? I would seriously expect people in the third to have the highest suicide rates, I've never met a person here that genuinely wants to live instead of surviving, even the ones that have the desire to live all want to leave the country. It's just shocking to me that when I talk about wanting to die because this life is meaningless, people act like I'm crazy, despite how normalized it is to treat life in our countries as just survival and how normalized it is to talk about how you'd want to die if it was halal, the way people only see life as a hardcore survival game to win the afterlife. Like seriously what's the reason that keeps the suicide rates low in underdeveloped countries? Religion? Unaccessible successful method? Or perhaps settling down for a shitty life?

I dont think religion is the main reason i think its the consequences of CTBing that prevents you, I'm from egypt and all i see is talk about how you shouldnt do it but at the same time you reach a certain point where literally all hope is lost including the hope you seeked from religion, the only thing holding you back is the limitation of ctb resources and how ur family will deal with the scrutiny of having a ctbing member, scrutiny from society that is since most underdeveloped countires dont believe in mental health

 

[heyismeman]

I'm not entirely sure, as I'm from a first world country, but I can confidently say religion is a huge pull factor for me not to attempt. If I knew 100% there is nothing after I would've done it already

 

[DontTouchMeImFamous]

Interesting, Seven out of the ten lowest suicide rate countries are Muslim. Palestine, Syria and Lebanon are the lowest. I think spirituality is a factor. The secular atheism of the modern world isn't very good for mental heath despite the "experts" insisting it's the more intelligent stance.

There's also different drivers. In South Korea suicides by the elderly drive the numbers whereas in Japan it's young adult males and for China it's women.

Suicide Rate by Country 2025

worldpopulationreview.com

True. Imagine a Palestinian child who saw his mother being blown into pieces believing that this was the last moments his mother had to live. He wouldn't have the will to live after that. VS a child believing that she's now all happy in heaven and is watching after him and that he will meet her again in the afterlife. It's more reassuring, no?
Or a Palestinian mother who saw her child being killed by an Israhelli solider in front of her. She would be better if she thought that the solider will be taken accountable by God someday in this life or the after.

What keeps the average Palestinian alive is the belief that they are righteous and that God is just and thus justice will eventually prevail and evil will vanish and lose. So, they believe that their lives is destined to be better because God is on their side and he promised them that if they kept fighting, they will be victorious.

And you know what, the more desperate the human is, the more religious he is, and that explains why underdeveloped countries are more religious which is interesting.

It's an interesting idea. I'm sure it plays a part. I think maybe families and communities are tighter in developing countries perhaps also. Many people on this forum even live very isolated lives. Meaning they don't have large support groups. Also perhaps, they feel less obligation to stay for other people- if they simply aren't there!

I think you could be right about expectations too. Those in first world countries are taught to expect a lot out of life. It's what makes us buy stuff we probably don't need. I think there are also expectations placed upon us to be someone. So- we expect a lot and, a lot is expected of us.

We also live very unnatural lives- likely spending so much time indoors- between our workplace and home.

Plus, we have no comparison. We have likely been pampered to an extent from birth. Just as a person who's had to struggle for the bare necessities from birth likely also knows no different. I doubt many of us first world softies would cope well in third world conditions.

As for methods, it depends on the country I imagine. The UK isn't so great for accessible suicide methods. It's quite a 'nanny state'. In a way, I imagine customs etc. may actually be more relaxed in third world nations although, I don't know really. I suppose I just assume they wouldn't have the funds to restrict a lot of things fully.

Interesting take. Maybe also ppl from first world countries, for having almost everything they need, they don't have an actual goal or a dream to pursue so they lose their meaning to live and find life to be empty VS those who live in the third world who are always dreaming of achieving financial and social stability and maybe travel to more rich countries, can find their meaning of life in that goal?

 

[NoMoreSanity]

I believe the reason that suicide is lower in religious countries is because religion fills a void for existential dread. Religions throughout history has given people moral frameworks and gave higher meaning to life. Without religion/spirituality, people just believe in the scientific dogma of this reality that creates no room for interpretation. They become solipsistic and eventually become a Reddit atheist arguing at any hint of God or a higher power. Basically trying to disprove religion becomes their new religion. Or they just see life as pointless pain and suffering that has no meaning and become nihilistic or indulge in hedonistic indulgences. If the CIA used psychics to find the ark of the covenant, which is a secular institution, then I believe that spirituality is true.

Or they cling to another philosophy (pessimistic or not ) to keep themselves from ctbing. People don't have any answers, you spend your whole life looking for them and find nothing. All that remains after is ctb when you figure no one has a fuckin solution. And the ones that do are to stupid or thwir ideas are way to ambitious to actually do anything.