Suicide remains leading external cause of death in the Canary Islands
Suicide continues to be, by a wide margin, the leading external cause of death in the Canary Islands, far exceeding the combined total of deaths by drowning and road traffic accidents. According to final figures for 2024 released by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the archipelago recorded 228 suicides, compared with 72 drownings and 69 road-related fatalities.
Although the 2024 suicide figure is deeply concerning, it represents a slight decrease from 2023, when 233 people took their own lives. However, the overall trend over the 2019–2024 period remains persistently above 200 cases per year, with peaks of 243 in 2022 and 242 in 2021. Even so, the 2024 total is the lowest recorded in the past five years.
Drowning deaths also remain at historically high levels. The association Canarias, 1500 KM de Costa reported 69 drownings for 2025, following 72 in 2024 and 71 in 2023, showing no signs of improvement.
Traffic-related fatalities are likewise increasing. The national Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) confirmed that 53 people died on interurban roads in the Canaries in 2025, 14 more than the previous year. Once deaths on urban roads are added, authorities expect the final figure to be significantly worse, prompting government officials to issue urgent public warnings late last year.
Age-group analysis of the 2024 suicide data shows a notable rise among those aged 30 to 39, with 34 deaths. This exceeds the 28 cases seen among 40-49-year-olds and the 27 among those aged 50 to 59. The INE notes that there were no suicides of children under 15 in the Canaries last year, and only one case among people aged over 95.
At national level, suicides fell more sharply, from 4,227 in 2023 to 3,953 in 2024.
Mental health specialists stress the importance of responsible media reporting, stating that public information can support early detection in some cases. They also strongly advise against detailing specific methods of suicide, which research shows can have harmful effects.
Gender disparities remain significant, with men accounting for 162 of the 228 suicides in the Canaries in 2024 and women for 66. While the gap is still wide, it is narrowing and represents the smallest difference recorded in the region so far this decade. Last year also saw the lowest number of male suicides and the highest number of female cases in the past five years. National data reflects a similar pattern of reduced gender disparity.
Psychologist Cathaysa Fernández reiterated calls for improved mental health support, emphasising that suicide rates will continue to rise unless politicians commit to providing free and accessible resources across the islands.
Share:
