CHINA

Hong Kong Child Suicide Rate More Than Triples as Top Students Dominate Cases

Published: Sep. 14, 2026 2:38 p.m. GMT+8

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File photo: A primary school in Hong Kong. Photo: VCG

Suicide among children and young teens in Hong Kong has more than tripled, with top-performing students accounting for the majority of recent cases, underscoring a severe mental health crisis within the city’s highly competitive education system.

The suicide rate for children aged 15 and under surged to 2.9 per 100,000 people in 2025, up from 0.9 the previous year, according to data released on World Suicide Prevention Day by the University of Hong Kong’s Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention.

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Hong Kong's suicide rate for children aged 15 and under tripled to 2.9 per 100,000 in 2025, up from 0.9, with deaths rising from six to 15 cases.
Analysis of 52 youth suicides (2022–2025) shows 68% of victims attended top-tier Band 1 schools, including nearly a third from elite Band 1A schools.
The government implemented a three-tier emergency mechanism in December 2023 to identify at-risk students and fast-track severe cases to public psychiatric services.

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Who’s Who

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What Happened When

December 2023：: Hong Kong government implemented a three-tier emergency mechanism.

2021-2025：: Hong Kong recorded 141 suspected student suicides.

2022-2025：: Analysis of 52 youth suicides; 68% attended Band 1 schools, nearly a third attended Band 1A schools.

2023-2025：: Secondary school students accounted for 90% of suicide cases; males comprised 59% of fatalities.

2024：: Suicide rate for children aged 15 and under was 0.9 per 100,000 people; 6 cases of youth suicides (aged 15 and under) recorded.

2025：: Suicide rate for children aged 15 and under surged to 2.9 per 100,000 people; 15 youths aged 15 and under died by suicide (14 males, 1 female); overall suicide rate declined to 13 per 100,000 (976 total deaths); data released on World Suicide Prevention Day.

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