Financial distress drives over half of Delhi suicides in 2023 with victims earning less than Rs 1 lakh annually
In 2023, Delhi recorded 3,131 suicides, with financial distress a major factor as over half of the victims earned less than Rs 1 lakh annually. Among them, 1,590 individuals earned below Rs 8,300 per month, and 765 were unemployed. Despite economic hardship impacting diverse social groups, unemployment was directly cited as a reason in fewer cases, highlighting complex underlying causes.
Delhi registered the highest number of suicides among 53 major Indian cities in 2023, totaling 3,131 deaths. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed that financial distress strongly influenced suicides, with more than half of the victims earning less than Rs 1 lakh per annum. Specifically, 1,590 victims earned under Rs 8,300 monthly, and 765 were unemployed, though unemployment was cited as the explicit reason in only 241 cases. Other financial causes such as poverty and bankruptcy were recorded in smaller numbers. The data reflects a persistent trend observed in previous years where low income and economic vulnerability correlate with suicide rates. The victims spanned various employment statuses, including self-employed (488) and salaried professionals (402). This pattern indicates a broad economic impact across social strata in Delhi, emphasizing the emotional toll of financial hardship. The causes of suicides remain multifaceted, with many cases lacking a definitive stated reason, signifying the complexity of economic and social pressures faced by individuals in the city.
