Six-Year Trends in Suicide Deaths and Suicide Attempts Among Children and Adolescents in Kazakhstan: A Population-Based Study, 2020–2025

Suicidal behavior among minors remains a public health concern in Kazakhstan. This study examined trends in registered suicide deaths and attempts among children aged 5–17 years during 2020–2025. National administrative data were analyzed retrospectively using negative binomial regression with population offsets, logistic regression, χ2 tests, and odds ratios (ORs). No significant trends in population-based rates were observed for suicide deaths (IRR = 1.020; 95% CI: 0.980–1.061; p = 0.328) or attempts (IRR = 1.030; 95% CI: 0.985–1.078; p = 0.196). However, the proportion of minors among registered suicide deaths increased from 4.11% to 6.24% (annual OR = 1.090; p < 0.001), and among attempts from 6.26% to 13.43% (annual OR = 1.164; p < 0.001). Compared with 2020–2022, minors’ representation in 2023–2025 was higher for deaths (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.18–1.52) and attempts (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.38–1.64). Attempts increased significantly in Western and Southern macroregions and among boys, but decreased in the Northern macroregion. These findings indicate changes in the age composition of registered suicidal behavior rather than a uniform increase in population-based rates, supporting continued surveillance and targeted prevention strategies.