ANKARA

South Korea's suicide rate is the highest among the major advanced countries as nearly 13,000 people committed suicide in 2022, the latest data showed.

The suicide rate slightly fell in 2022, however, it is still high among the major advanced countries, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported citing Statistics Korea.

Based on the data, 24.1 out of every 100,000 people committed suicide in the country.

Lithuania came next with 18.5 , followed by Slovenia 15.7, Japan 15.4 and Belgium 14.8, the agency said.

"Suicide closely links to individuals' quality of life. The suicide rate tends to increase in accordance with drastic social changes or instability so it represents structural features of a society and social unity," Statistics Korea said in its report.

The suicide rate among men is higher than women.

South Korea has also seen a steady decline in new births despite spending about $200 billion over the last 16 years to promote population growth.

Last year, the World Economic Forum warned that if the current low birth rate continues, the nation "will be less than half what it is now by the end of the century."

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also warned last year that “time is running short" and urged the authorities to approach the issue of low birthrates with extraordinary determination.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid