The number of suicides in Germany has continued to rise. Last year, 11,334 people took their own lives, according to the Federal Statistical Office. That was 9.3 percent or 964 cases more than in the previous year - and 15.6 percent more than the average of the past ten years.
This means that more people in Germany die each year from suicide than from traffic accidents, murder, manslaughter and AIDS combined. Suicides accounted for 1.1 percent of total deaths last year, according to statisticians.
However, the number has been rising continuously since 2021. According to the information, this has been due primarily to more suicides among women over the past three years. Their share rose by 17.9 percent during the period, while there was a smaller increase among men (5.8 percent). Overall, more men (69.2 percent) took their own lives last year than women (30.8 percent), it said.
Assisted suicide contributes to increase
Another reason for the increase in numbers is assisted suicide. According to its own information, the German Society for Humane Dying provided significantly more suicide assistance in 2025 - namely 1,287 people. Last year there were 1,200. The Depression Relief Foundation speaks of an increase of almost 32 percent since 2020.
The background is a decision by the Federal Constitutional Court from 2020. The Karlsruhe judges ruled that every person has the constitutionally protected right to kill themselves. The only requirement: The person wishing to die must decide to do so of their own free will - without external pressure or due to severe depression. The activities of euthanasia organizations were then permitted again.
At the same time, the Constitutional Court appealed to the federal government to create a framework for assisted suicide in order to guarantee voluntariness and prevent abuse. Since then, there has been a struggle in the Bundestag over new regulations on assisted suicide.
Bill for nationwide aid
In August, the Ministry of Health presented a draft bill for a prevention law. This includes, among other things, the creation of a federal office for suicide prevention. This is intended to create a nationwide crisis service telephone number. There should also be model projects for suicide prevention measures. States and municipalities should be better supported in order to expand a comprehensive crisis service.
However, there was criticism of the planned budget for the new federal agency: the draft provides for 1.4 million euros. That is far too little, criticized the German Patient Protection Foundation. The German Caritas Association complained that there were no proposals for long-term financing of crisis aid. The draft bill also does not address the prevention of assisted suicides and does not create any additional places in hospices or palliative care.
Help via family doctor, telephone or group offers
The number of attempts is even higher than the number of suicides. The National Suicide Prevention Program estimates that well over 100,000 people attempt suicide every year. The German Depression Aid Foundation speaks of an estimated 500 people per day.
These people also urgently need contacts. The first point of contact is still your family doctor. He or she can refer those affected to a psychologist or psychiatrist. If you don't want to go to a practice in person, you can also get help over the phone. The depression information hotline can help on 0800-3344533. The telephone counseling service (0800-1110111, 0800-1110222 or 116123, also via chat or email) is also a contact point.
There are also self-help groups and counseling services, for example at the Federal Association of Relatives of Mentally Ill People. If there is an acute threat to life, those affected should immediately go to the nearest psychiatric clinic or call the emergency doctor on 112.
Experts: Relatives should take suicidal thoughts seriously
The Depression Relief Foundation advises family and friends to always take suicide announcements seriously. Statements such as: "It all makes no sense anymore..." are indications of a serious danger. Friends or family members shouldn't be afraid to ask more questions, the experts advise. It is often a relief for a person at risk of suicide to be able to talk to another person about their tormenting thoughts.
The foundation also warns that you should refrain from giving well-intentioned advice. Simple messages such as “You are important to me,” “I am trying to understand this illness,” or “We can do this together” are the most effective.
