Now, unusual for maps about Italy it’s actually the South that does better than the North with rates that are far lower.
Below you can see the numbers for 2022 the latest year data is available. Note that the numbers below have not been adjusted by population size and represent the total number suicides.
| Residence territory | Total Number of Suicides |
|---|---|
| Italy | 3,874 |
| Nord-ovest | 1,109 |
| Piemonte | 387 |
| 'Valle d"'Aosta / Vallée d"'Aoste' | 14 |
| Liguria | 66 |
| Lombardia | 642 |
| Nord-est | 1,000 |
| Trentino Alto Adige / Südtirol | 114 |
| Bolzano / Bozen | 56 |
| Trento | 58 |
| Veneto | 413 |
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 124 |
| Emilia-Romagna | 349 |
| Centro (I) | 701 |
| Toscana | 242 |
| Umbria | 80 |
| Marche | 144 |
| Lazio | 235 |
| Sud | 608 |
| Abruzzo | 91 |
| Molise | 16 |
| Campania | 150 |
| Puglia | 208 |
| Basilicata | 52 |
| Calabria | 91 |
| Isole | 456 |
| Sicilia | 289 |
| Sardegna | 167 |
| Abroad | 57 |
| Da precisare | 3 |
| Total | 3,934 |
Why do Southern Italian regions have a lower suicide rates than northern ones?
The lower suicide rates in Southern Italy compared to Northern Italy may be attributed to several interconnected cultural, social, and economic factors:
Social Structure and Family Networks:
- Southern Italy typically has stronger family ties and closer community relationships. Extended family networks provide emotional support, reducing feelings of isolation, a critical factor linked to suicide.
Cultural and Religious Influences:
- Southern Italy is generally more traditional and religious, primarily Catholic. Religious beliefs often provide protective factors against suicide through social integration, moral support, and discouragement of suicide as morally wrong.
Lifestyle and Pace of Life:
- Southern Italy tends to have a slower pace of life and less pressure from work-driven lifestyles compared to Northern Italy, where industrialization, urbanization, and economic competition may intensify stress and anxiety.
Economic Expectations and Psychological Pressure:
- Despite economic struggles in Southern Italy, lower societal pressures related to career success, financial achievements, or social status compared to the economically prosperous Northern regions might lessen psychological stress linked to suicides.
Community Cohesion:
- Southern Italy often has smaller communities where close-knit social ties act as protective factors against mental health deterioration. Northern urban areas, with greater anonymity and weaker social bonds, might facilitate isolation and mental health challenges.
Climate and Lifestyle:
- The Mediterranean climate and lifestyle of Southern Italy may influence overall well-being and mental health positively. The sunshine, outdoor culture, diet, and socialization may reduce depression and anxiety.
What do think the cause of the difference is?
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