The Phenomenon of Suicide in Libyan Society: A Sociological and Analytical Study of Its Reality from 1999 to 2023

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of suicide and attempted suicide in Libyan society between the years 1999 and 2023. It examines temporal trends, geographical distribution, gender and age differences, and explores the officially reported causes. The study is based on official data from the Criminal Investigation Department and interprets the findings through Durkheim’s sociological theory.

The results revealed fluctuations in suicide rates, with a peak before 2011, followed by a sharp decline, and then a gradual increase starting from 2020. Males accounted for the highest percentage of completed suicides, while females were more prevalent in attempted cases. The youth age group (21–30 years) emerged as the most vulnerable. Notably, the majority of cases (71%) were classified under “unknown causes,” reflecting deficiencies in monitoring mechanisms and the presence of societal stigma.

The study also uncovered significant regional disparities: the western region recorded the highest suicide rates, the eastern region the highest rate of attempts, while the southern region showed the lowest figures. These findings underscore the deeply rooted social nature of the phenomenon and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive preventive interventions, the development of mental health care systems, and the enhancement of systems for documenting suicide cases.