Gender difference in suicide in Taiwan over a century: a time trend analysis in 1905–1940 and 1959–2012

Background Suicide rates are higher in men than in women in most countries, although the gender ratios vary markedly worldwide. We investigated long-term trends in suicide rates and the male-to-female ratios in relation to age, method and economic factors in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial (1905–1940) and postwar (1959–2012) periods. Methods Suicide data were from the Statistical Reports of Taiwan Governor’s Office (1905–1940), Vital...