Long-term trends in suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt among adolescents in South Korea, 2012-2025.

Publication date: Jul 20, 2026

In South Korea, where suicide is the leading cause of adolescent death, this study examined national trends in suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt in relation to pandemic-related changes and population-level risk factors. This study analyzed trends in suicidal behaviors from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2012-2025). All three outcomes were defined by self-reported questionnaires. The period was categorized as pre-pandemic (2012-2019), intra-pandemic (2020-2022), and post-pandemic (2023-2025). Temporal trends were assessed using weighted linear regression (β, βdiff), and risk factors were evaluated using weighted multivariable logistic regression with weighted odds ratios (wORs) and 95% CIs. Overall, the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts declined pre-pandemic (2012-2019), increased during the pandemic (2020-2022), and declined again post-pandemic (2023-2025), with 2025 prevalence of 16. 24% (95% CI, 15. 46-17. 01), 6. 18% (5. 69-6. 67), and 4. 03% (3. 64-4. 43), respectively. Higher prevalence was consistently observed among those aged ≤15 years and females, with the steepest intra-pandemic increase in suicidal ideation among the youngest group (β, 2. 53 [95% CI, 1. 75-3. 30]). Temporal contrasts were most pronounced for suicide attempt, decreasing intra-pandemic versus pre-pandemic (wOR, 0. 86 [95% CI, 0. 81-0. 91]) and increasing post-pandemic versus intra-pandemic (1. 25 [1. 16-1. 35]). Alcohol consumption showed a graded association by severity, with the strongest effects observed post-pandemic. Suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts among South Korean adolescents showed marked disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and although rates declined post-pandemic, the findings underscore adverse mental health impacts and the need for preparedness for future global crises.

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Original Article