Measuring the effect of economic indicators of low and middle-income countries on suicide rates by using panel data analysis method


Kalender S., ŞENOL O., KİŞİ M.

Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, cilt.34, sa.1, ss.105-118, 2024 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 34 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/10911359.2023.2268139
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, FRANCIS, IBZ Online, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.105-118
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Economic indicators, income level, panel data analysis, suicide rate
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Suicide is the ending of one’s own life for economic, psychological, and social reasons. Suicide cases worldwide occur mostly in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of economic indicators of low and middle-income countries on suicide rates by panel data analysis method. The dependent variable is the (crude) suicide rate. The independent variables are gross domestic product, per capita income, general unemployment rate, poverty level, and Gini index value. In the study, two different econometric models were developed. In Model 1, it was predicted that a 1% increase in the poverty level of countries in the middle-income group could lead to an increase of 0.66% in the suicide rate. In Model-2, it was estimated that a 1% increase in the per capita income of low-income countries would cause a 0.52% decrease in the suicide rate. It was predicted that a possible increase of 1% in the Gini index value would cause an increase of 0.24% and 0.32% in the suicide rates of middle- and low-income countries, respectively. Although there are various factors affecting the suicide rate in society, there are often economic reasons at the root of the problem. The consequences of the unequal distribution of income in a poorer society can be more devastating. Although the results of the study are important in terms of revealing the effect of economic indicators on suicide rates more research is needed in this area.