Hong Kong education authorities have reported that children aged 15 and under accounted for at least 60% of suspected student suicide cases over the past three academic years, prompting calls for schools to reduce excessive homework and promote a more balanced lifestyle for pupils.
The Education Bureau disclosed that from the 2023 to 2026 school years, primary and secondary schools reported a total of 86 suspected student suicide cases, with 30 cases in 2023, 33 in 2024, and 23 in 2025. The proportion involving students aged 15 or younger was 60%, 67%, and 65% for each respective year. Students aged 15 typically study in Form Four or Form Five.
Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin highlighted that each suicide case has distinct underlying causes and that the age distribution can vary annually. She emphasized the importance of schools reporting all suspected cases to enable the bureau to provide timely support.
In addition, the bureau revealed that over the past two and a half years, school principals referred 547 students considered at high risk of suicide to Hong Kong’s public health system, averaging about 17 referrals per month since December 2023. These referrals facilitate urgent psychiatric interventions through the Hospital Authority's specialist services.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong reported that the city recorded 976 suicide deaths in 2025, equivalent to 13 per 100,000 residents, representing a slight decline from the previous year. However, suicide rates among individuals under 15 rose to 2.9 per 100,000—the highest level since 2016—despite decreases in nearly all other age groups.
Internationally, data on suicide rates for those under 15 remains limited. A recent study published by the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry showed that suicide rates for children aged 10 to 14 among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries generally range between 0.2 and 0.8 per 100,000. For comparison, rates were reported at 0.3 in the United Kingdom, 0.9 in the United States, and 1.2 in South Korea.
To address student mental health concerns, Hong Kong’s government implemented a three-tier suicide prevention mechanism in 2023 aimed at early identification and intervention for students exhibiting signs of severe distress or suicide risk. The system allows schools to prioritise resources for early help and, in critical cases, to activate a broader support network, including direct referral of acute cases to psychiatric specialists.
Support services remain available to those experiencing suicidal thoughts or in need of assistance. The government-operated Mental Health Support Hotline can be reached at 18111, while The Samaritans and Suicide Prevention Services offer help through contact numbers 2896 0000 and 2382 0000 respectively.