Analysis of Official Suicide Statistics in Spain (1910-2011) Articles uri icon

publication date

  • November 2017

start page

  • 95

end page

  • 113

issue

  • 160

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0210-5233

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1988-5903

abstract

  • In this article we examine the evolution of suicide rates in Spain from 1910 to 2011. As something new, we use standardised suicide rates, making them perfectly comparable geographically and in time, as they no longer reflect population structure. Using historical data from a series of socioeconomic variables for all Spain's provinces and applying new techniques for the statistical analysis of panel data, we are able to confirm many of the hypotheses established by Durkheim at the end of the 19th century, especially those related to fertility and marriage rates, age, sex and the aging index. Our findings, however, contradict Durkheim's approach regarding the impact of urbanisation processes and poverty on suicide.

keywords

  • socio-demographic characteristics; durkheim; panel surveys; suicide; standardised rates