India's youth suicide crisis deepens as over 63,000 children die in five years

A new report highlights the growing issue of youth suicides in India. Between 2019 and 2024, over 63,000 children under 18 died by suicide, with examination failure and family problems among the leading causes. The data reveals a concerning trend in mental health challenges among the young population. Suicides among those under 18 have stayed above 10,000 every year since 2020. In 2024, family problems were the most common reported cause, resulting in 3,101 deaths. Other major causes included love affairs, illness, and unknown reasons, with failure in examinations accounting for 1,071 deaths that year.

Examination-related suicides predominantly affected young people. In 2024, 1,955 of the 2,032 suicides linked to exam failure involved individuals under 30. Over the five-year period, more than 12,500 suicides in this age group were attributed to examination failure. The overall number of child suicides rose by nearly 16% between 2019 and 2024. The figures show a persistent and rising crisis. Examination failure remains a significant factor, but family issues and other causes contribute more to child suicides. The data underscores the urgent need for targeted mental health support for young people.