Suicide rates in the European Union Countries. An analysis from a multivariate approach

Suicide is one of the most important causes of death in the European Union Countries (EU) and is considered as a phenomenon which can be explained from a psychological, biological and social point of view. Objectives: This research will analyze the phenomenon of suicide in the European Union from a sociological point of view, with the aim of creating a multivariate model which explains such phenomenon. Method: Taking into account those data offered by the European Statistics Office (EUROSTAT), this study will try to explain, through the multiple linear regression model, suicide rates in European countries from demographic variables (number of inhabitants, divorce rate, ratio of women), economic variables (Gross Domestic Product (GDP), general government gross debt), social variables (government expenditure on social protection, population at risk of poverty) or educational variables (public expenditure on education and population with secondary education). Conclusions: A model to explain suicide rates in different countries was developed. This model was made up of two variables (percentage of people with secondary education and ratio of women), which account for 50% of the suicide rate.