Gitnux/Report 2026

Farmer Suicide Statistics

With 11,290 farmer and farm laborer suicides recorded in 2022, this page links grief to specific pressures like family problems at 29.5% and bankruptcy and debt at 15.7%, while showing how methods vary sharply from NCRB hanging at 52% to Vidarbha pesticide poisoning at 28%. It also tracks who is most affected and where, including Maharashtra’s heavy burden and a rising share among 30 to 44 year olds, so you can see not just the scale but the patterns behind it.
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Farmer Suicide Statistics
Lars EriksenWritten by Lars Eriksen·Edited by David Sutherland·Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell
Last verified May 13, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Within the next 44 days
A farmer suicide rate of 14.5 per 100,000 agricultural population in 2022 sits beside another figure that should not be comforting at all. While hanging accounted for 52% of farmer suicides nationally, the pressures behind them range from family problems at 29.5% to pesticide poisoning and debt traps that hit specific regions hardest. As you read, the most painful part is how consistently the “causes” overlap with farm economics, climate shocks, and the health risks of daily labor.

Key Takeaways

  • Family problems were the leading cause of 29.5% of farmer suicides in 2022 nationally
  • Illness accounted for 18.4% of farmer suicides in 2022
  • Bankruptcy or indebtedness caused 15.7% of farmer suicides in 2022
  • Farmers aged 30-44 years accounted for 45.2% of suicides in 2022
  • Male farmers comprised 93.8% of suicide victims in 2022
  • Illiterate farmers had a suicide rate 2.5 times higher than graduates in 2018-2022
  • In 2022, India recorded 11,290 suicides by farmers and farm laborers, marking a 3.7% increase from 10,881 in 2021
  • Between 1995 and 2022, over 4,00,000 farmer suicides were reported in India according to NCRB data
  • Farmer suicides accounted for 8.3% of total suicides in India in 2022
  • PM-KISAN scheme reached 11 crore farmers by 2023, providing Rs 6,000 annual aid
  • Maharashtra's crop loan waiver of Rs 34,000 crore in 2017 benefited 1.2 crore farmers
  • National Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY) covered 5.6 crore farmer applications in 2022-23
  • Maharashtra contributed 25% of national farmer suicides in 2022 with 2,661 cases
  • Karnataka reported 2,392 farmer suicides in 2022, second highest after Maharashtra
  • Andhra Pradesh had 914 farmer suicides in 2022

In 2022, 11,290 farmer suicides rose, driven mainly by family issues, illness, and debt.

Related reading

01 · Category

Causative Factors25 stats

01
Family problems were the leading cause of 29.5% of farmer suicides in 2022 nationally
02
Illness accounted for 18.4% of farmer suicides in 2022
03
Bankruptcy or indebtedness caused 15.7% of farmer suicides in 2022
04
Crop failure or agricultural issues led to 7.2% of farmer suicides in 2022
05
Property disputes contributed to 4.9% of farmer suicides in 2022
06
Debt from moneylenders was cited in 40% of Maharashtra farmer suicides in 2021
07
Pesticide poisoning was method in 28% of farmer suicides in Vidarbha 2015-2020
08
Drought affected 25% of farmer suicides in Karnataka 2018-2022
09
Low MSP realization caused 12% of Punjab farmer suicides 2019-2022
10
Alcoholism linked to 15% of farmer suicides in Andhra Pradesh 2020-2022
11
Failure of Bt cotton crops implicated in 30% of suicides in Gujarat 2010-2020
12
Mental health issues underreported but estimated 20% in national data
13
Rising input costs contributed to 18% bankruptcy-related suicides 2022
14
Marriage-related issues caused 5.2% of farmer suicides in 2022
15
Dowry demands caused 3.1% of farmer suicides in 2022 NCRB
16
Hanging was method in 52% of farmer suicides nationally 2022
17
Poison consumption 42% in rural farmer suicides 2022
18
Unemployment post-farming crisis 8% factor 2022
19
Climate change induced crop loss 10% in MP suicides 2020-22
20
GM crop failures 20% in suicides Maharashtra 2015-20
21
Water scarcity 35% cause in Tamil Nadu 2022
22
Gambling debts 2.5% of cases in Rajasthan 2022
23
Chronic kidney disease from pesticides 15% in Odisha
24
Market price crashes 22% bankruptcy in Telangana 2022
25
Farmer unions cite govt policies 30% indirect cause
Interpretation

Causative Factors Interpretation

Behind the grim statistics lies a desperate truth: the Indian farmer is besieged not just by drought and debt, but by a crushing cascade of personal, financial, and systemic failures that together make the family farm feel like a battlefield from which there is no honorable retreat.

02 · Category

Demographic Profiles23 stats

01
Farmers aged 30-44 years accounted for 45.2% of suicides in 2022
02
Male farmers comprised 93.8% of suicide victims in 2022
03
Illiterate farmers had a suicide rate 2.5 times higher than graduates in 2018-2022
04
Small and marginal farmers (under 2 ha land) made up 68% of victims in Maharashtra 2022
05
Farmers over 45 years old represented 38.7% of suicides nationally in 2022
06
In Karnataka, 52% of farmer suicide victims had no formal education in 2021-22
07
Married farmers accounted for 82.4% of suicides in 2022
08
Youth farmers (18-30 years) suicide share increased to 16% from 12% in 2015-2022
09
SC/ST farmers had 1.8 times higher suicide rate than general category 2016-2022
10
In Vidarbha, 65% victims were from indebted households with average debt Rs 2.5 lakh
11
Female farmer suicides rose 10% in Telangana 2020-2022 to 12% of total
12
Landless laborers comprised 40% of farm suicides in UP 2022
13
Average age of farmer suicide victims nationally was 48.2 years in 2022
14
Under 30 age group 15.8% victims 2022
15
Graduates 4.2% of victims despite 10% farmer population
16
Widowed farmers 6.1% suicide rate higher 2022
17
Marginal farmers <1 ha 56% victims Maharashtra
18
45-59 age 29.3% national victims 2022
19
OBC farmers 42% victims in Karnataka 2022
20
Average debt per suicide family Rs 2.4 lakh Vidarbha
21
Single farmers 12% higher risk 2022
22
Tribals 18% victims in central India states
23
Women suicides 6.2% total but rising 10% YoY
Interpretation

Demographic Profiles Interpretation

These statistics paint a grim portrait of an epidemic rooted not in the soil, but in a crushing convergence of debt, despair, and the unbearable weight of providing for a family against impossible odds.

04 · Category

Policy Interventions21 stats

01
PM-KISAN scheme reached 11 crore farmers by 2023, providing Rs 6,000 annual aid
02
Maharashtra's crop loan waiver of Rs 34,000 crore in 2017 benefited 1.2 crore farmers
03
National Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY) covered 5.6 crore farmer applications in 2022-23
04
Kisan Credit Card loans outstanding reached Rs 18 lakh crore for 7.6 crore farmers by 2023
05
Andhra Pradesh's Rythu Bharosa scheme provided Rs 13,500/year to 1.2 crore farmers since 2019
06
Karnataka announced Rs 2,000 monthly pension for small farmers in 2023
07
Central government's farm loan waiver packages totaled Rs 2.5 lakh crore since 2008
08
Soil Health Cards distributed to 23 crore farmers by 2023 under scheme
09
Telangana's Rythu Bandhu invested Rs 1 lakh crore in direct income support since 2018
10
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture aims to cover 7 crore ha by 2025
11
Micro-irrigation promoted under PMKSY for 70 lakh ha benefiting 50 lakh farmers
12
Fasal Bima Yojana claims settled Rs 1.4 lakh crore for 11 crore farmers 2016-2023
13
PM Fasal Bima Yojana penetration 45% insured farmers 2023
14
Atmanirbhar Bharat farmer packages Rs 1 lakh crore 2020
15
Madhya Pradesh waiver Rs 50,000 crore for 33 lakh farmers 2021
16
e-NAM connects 1,000 mandis for 1.7 crore farmers
17
Punjab free power 12 hrs/day to 13 lakh tubewells farmers
18
Operation Greens Rs 500 cr for top fruits/veg farmers
19
KUSUM scheme solar pumps 3.5 lakh for farmers by 2023
20
Interest subvention 2% on crop loans Rs 1.5 lakh crore benefit
21
National Horticulture Mission aids 20 lakh small farmers yearly
Interpretation

Policy Interventions Interpretation

Despite billions pouring into farm aid schemes from crop insurance to solar pumps, it's clear that when a farmer’s harvest fails or debts mount, the safety net still feels more like a spiderweb—intricately woven but fatally fragile.

05 · Category

State-wise Data27 stats

01
Maharashtra contributed 25% of national farmer suicides in 2022 with 2,661 cases
02
Karnataka reported 2,392 farmer suicides in 2022, second highest after Maharashtra
03
Andhra Pradesh had 914 farmer suicides in 2022
04
Madhya Pradesh recorded 949 farmer suicides in 2022
05
Telangana saw 809 farmer suicides in 2022
06
In Maharashtra, Vidarbha region alone had over 1,000 farmer suicides in 2022
07
Karnataka's farmer suicide rate was 68 per 100,000 farmers in 2021-22, highest in India
08
Punjab reported only 184 farmer suicides in 2022 despite protests
09
Uttar Pradesh had 1,010 farmer suicides in 2022
10
Chhattisgarh recorded 701 farmer suicides in 2022
11
Kerala saw 419 farmer suicides in 2022
12
Tamil Nadu reported 730 farmer suicides in 2022
13
Rajasthan had 787 farmer suicides in 2022
14
Odisha recorded 477 farmer suicides in 2022
15
Gujarat saw 581 farmer suicides in 2022
16
Maharashtra's share in national farmer suicides was 24% average 2018-2022
17
Amravati district in Maharashtra had 428 farmer suicides in 2022
18
Haveri district in Karnataka topped with 302 farmer suicides in 2021-22
19
West Godavari in AP recorded 112 farmer suicides in 2022
20
Dewas district MP had high 89 farmer suicides in 2022
21
Jayashankar Bhupalpally Telangana had 67 in 2022
22
Yavatmal Maharashtra crossed 500 suicides in Vidarbha belt 2022
23
Raichur Karnataka saw 250 farmer suicides 2021-22
24
Mansa Punjab had 22 farmer suicides despite low state total
25
Aligarh UP reported 45 farmer suicides 2022
26
Bastar Chhattisgarh tribal areas 120 suicides 2022
27
Wayanad Kerala recorded 68 farmer suicides 2022
Interpretation

State-wise Data Interpretation

Behind the boastful wheat bowls and bustling markets, these numbers are the grim harvest of a broken system, where states like Maharashtra and Karnataka lead a tragic parade of despair that proves our national breadbasket is too often watered with the tears of those who grow it.
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Farmer Suicide Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/farmer-suicide-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Farmer Suicide Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/farmer-suicide-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Farmer Suicide Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/farmer-suicide-statistics.

Sources & references

15 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

ncrb.gov.inpib.gov.inepw.indata.gov.inncbi.nlm.nih.govpsainath.orgtimesofindia.indiatimes.comthehindu.comdeccanherald.comtribuneindia.comthelancet.comhindustantimes.comrbi.org.inirda.gov.indefault