Scotland's suicide rate showed almost no change last year, with 703 deaths recorded in 2025 — a figure that a grieving widow says offers "little comfort" to bereaved families.
Figures published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) on Tuesday revealed that the rate of deaths per 100,000 people aged over ten was 14.2 last year, the same as in 2024.
Widow's response to the figures
Lisa Marshall, 34, from Glasgow, lost her husband Alan to suicide in 2023. She said the 0.14% reduction offered "little comfort" to those who have lost loved ones.
"Seven hundred and three lives lost to suicide is 703 too many. One fewer death than last year offers little comfort to the families whose lives have been changed forever," she said.
"Behind every number is someone loved, missed and desperately wanted here. These figures cannot become something we simply accept."
Lisa was left devastated after Alan went to work one day and never came home. He had no history of mental illness and left her with no note.
Call for sustained funding
She has now called for sustained funding for mental health services and charities to prevent future tragedies.
"We need sustained funding for mental health services and the charities working on the frontline, alongside compassionate support for those bereaved," she said.
"The stark link with deprivation must also drive action. Every life matters, and preventing these deaths must remain a priority."
Trends in the data
Men's suicide rates remain three times higher than those of women, a gap that has remained unchanged since recording began in 1994.
There has been a decrease in suicide rates over the last two years, driven by a fall in male suicides, with 67 fewer men dying by suicide than in 2023, compared with 19 fewer women.
The average age of death for probable suicides has increased over time, from 42 years in 2000 to 48.2 years in 2025. This year's average age has risen from 47.6 years in 2024.
In 2025, age-specific rates of probable suicide deaths were highest for those aged 45-64 years (19.9 per 100,000), followed by those aged 25-44 years (16.8). The lowest rates were for those aged 10-24 years (6.1 per 100,000).
Official responses
Haylis Smith, Suicide Prevention Scotland national delivery lead, said: "Today our thoughts are with everyone who lost someone to suicide in 2025. When you analyse the data in this work, you're never looking at numbers, because behind every point on a graph is a human being who is now gone."
"We continue to work relentlessly to prevent suicide, in what is now the fourth year of the Creating Hope Together strategy," she added.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Maree Todd said: "Behind every one of these statistics is a person who leaves behind family and friends and a wider community. The effect is devastating and lasting, and our thoughts today are with everyone who have lost a loved one to suicide."
"Whilst the reduction shown in last year's figures has been sustained, we are not complacent. Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need."
