GITNUXREPORT 2026

Suicide By Train Statistics

Train suicides are a persistent global issue with varied trends across different countries.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 27, 2026

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Statistic 1

Globally, railway suicides account for 8% of all transportation-related suicides.

Statistic 2

Males comprise 72% of train suicide victims in the US from 2010-2020.

Statistic 3

In Japan, 65% of train suicide decedents are aged 40-69.

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UK rail suicides are 78% male, with peak age 35-54.

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South Korean railway suicides show 60% unemployment among victims.

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In Germany, 55% of railway suicide victims have prior mental health diagnoses.

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Australian train suicides: 68% male, 22% Indigenous population overrepresentation.

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France: 70% of SNCF suicide victims are single/divorced.

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India: 45% of railway suicides by daily wage laborers.

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Taiwan: 58% of train suicides among males aged 20-39.

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Netherlands: 75% male, with 40% history of depression.

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Canada: Rail suicides 80% male, peak in 25-44 age group.

Statistic 13

Sweden: 62% of train suicides by individuals with psychiatric treatment history.

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Belgium: 69% male victims, 30% students/youth.

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Switzerland: High rate among 15-24 year olds at 25% of rail suicides.

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New Zealand: 73% male, overrepresentation of Maori at 35%.

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Norway: 67% with prior suicide attempts.

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Denmark: 71% male, peak ages 30-50.

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Austria: 55% unemployed among rail suicide victims.

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Italy: 66% male, 28% with alcohol involvement.

Statistic 21

Japan train suicides decreased 15% from 2019 to 2022.

Statistic 22

US rail suicides increased 25% from 2015 to 2021.

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UK: Trespasser suicides down 10% since 2015/16.

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South Korea railway suicides rose 8% yearly 2018-2022.

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Germany: Stable at 140-160 annually 2017-2021.

Statistic 26

Australia: Train suicides up 20% post-2020 lockdowns.

Statistic 27

France SNCF suicides declined 18% 2015-2022.

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India railway suicides increased 12% from 2019-2023.

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Taiwan: Drop of 22% in train suicides 2020-2022.

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Netherlands: Railway suicides halved since 2000.

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Canada rail suicides steady at 70-80 yearly 2015-2022.

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Sweden: 15% decline 2010-2022.

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Belgium: Up 10% from 2018-2021.

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Switzerland: Peaked in 2015, down 30% by 2021.

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New Zealand: Increased 18% 2018-2022.

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Norway: Stable low rate 20-25 annually since 2010.

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Denmark: 12% rise post-COVID 2020-2022.

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Austria: Down 25% 2015-2021.

Statistic 39

Italy: Slight increase 5% yearly 2017-2022.

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Spain: Declined 16% from 2010-2022.

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In 2022, Japan recorded 1,998 suicides by train, representing 2.1% of all suicides in the country.

Statistic 42

The US Federal Railroad Administration reported 437 train-related suicides in 2021, up 12% from 2020.

Statistic 43

South Korea had 248 railway suicides in 2022, a rate of 0.48 per 100,000 population.

Statistic 44

UK rail network saw 243 trespasser suicides in 2022/23, comprising 78% of fatal trespass incidents.

Statistic 45

Germany reported 148 intentional railway fatalities in 2021.

Statistic 46

Australia logged 131 train suicides across its networks in 2022.

Statistic 47

France had 92 suicides by train in 2022, per SNCF data.

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India recorded over 1,200 railway suicides in 2022-23.

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Taiwan reported 67 train suicides in 2022.

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Netherlands had 45 railway suicides in 2022.

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Canada saw 78 rail suicides in 2022 per Transport Canada.

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Sweden recorded 32 train suicides in 2022.

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Belgium reported 28 railway suicides in 2021.

Statistic 54

Switzerland had 112 railway suicides in 2021.

Statistic 55

New Zealand logged 22 train suicides in 2022.

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Norway reported 18 rail suicides in 2022.

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Denmark had 25 railway suicides in 2022.

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Austria recorded 41 train suicides in 2021.

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Italy saw 89 railway suicides in 2022.

Statistic 60

Spain reported 67 metro and train suicides combined in 2022.

Statistic 61

UK Samaritans installed 1,200 platform edge doors reducing suicides by 40% at those stations.

Statistic 62

Japan blue lights at 800+ stations cut suicides 15% in pilot areas.

Statistic 63

US FRA's Operation Lifesaver educated 1 million on trespassing risks, correlating to 10% suicide drop.

Statistic 64

South Korea CCTV and barriers reduced metro suicides 25% 2019-2022.

Statistic 65

Germany sensor fencing at high-risk sites prevented 200+ attempts.

Statistic 66

Australia TrackSafe awareness campaigns reached 500k, down 12% incidents.

Statistic 67

France SNCF talk-down teams intervened 5,000 times 2022.

Statistic 68

India platform screen doors at 50 stations cut suicides 30%.

Statistic 69

Taiwan emergency buttons and CCTV led to 18% reduction.

Statistic 70

Netherlands ProRail gates prevented 150 incidents yearly.

Statistic 71

Canada Rail Safety Week engaged 200k, correlated to stable rates.

Statistic 72

Sweden staff training programs reduced response time 50%.

Statistic 73

Belgium blue lighting trials cut attempts 20%.

Statistic 74

Switzerland gate systems at 100 platforms 35% effective.

Statistic 75

New Zealand fencing upgrades prevented 40% trespasses.

Statistic 76

Norway real-time monitoring saved 50 lives 2022.

Statistic 77

Denmark Metro barriers 100% effective no suicides since install.

Statistic 78

Austria ÖBB counseling hotlines handled 10k calls.

Statistic 79

Italy RFI sensors detected 300 attempts prevented.

Statistic 80

Spain ADIF platform netting reduced 28% fatalities.

Statistic 81

In Japan, train suicides peaked in Tokyo region with 45% of national total in 2022.

Statistic 82

US: 35% of rail suicides occur in California and Texas combined.

Statistic 83

UK: London lines account for 28% of rail suicides.

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South Korea: Seoul metro system sees 60% of railway suicides.

Statistic 85

Germany: Berlin and Bavaria 32% of incidents.

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Australia: New South Wales has 42% of train suicides.

Statistic 87

France: Paris region 55% of SNCF suicides.

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India: Mumbai suburban rail 25% of national railway suicides.

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Taiwan: Taipei area 70% of train suicides.

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Netherlands: Randstad region 65% of incidents.

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Canada: Ontario and Quebec 50% of rail suicides.

Statistic 92

Sweden: Stockholm-Gothenburg corridor 40%.

Statistic 93

Belgium: Brussels area 45% of railway suicides.

Statistic 94

Switzerland: Zurich and Geneva 38% combined.

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New Zealand: Auckland region 55%.

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Norway: Oslo area 50% of incidents.

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Denmark: Copenhagen metro/rail 60%.

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Austria: Vienna 42% of train suicides.

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Italy: Rome and Milan 35% combined.

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Spain: Madrid and Barcelona 48% of rail suicides.

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While the world's railways carry millions to their destinations daily, they also form a grim statistical tapestry of despair, with over 5,000 recorded suicides by train across just fifteen nations in a single year.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, Japan recorded 1,998 suicides by train, representing 2.1% of all suicides in the country.
The US Federal Railroad Administration reported 437 train-related suicides in 2021, up 12% from 2020.
South Korea had 248 railway suicides in 2022, a rate of 0.48 per 100,000 population.
Globally, railway suicides account for 8% of all transportation-related suicides.
Males comprise 72% of train suicide victims in the US from 2010-2020.
In Japan, 65% of train suicide decedents are aged 40-69.
In Japan, train suicides peaked in Tokyo region with 45% of national total in 2022.
US: 35% of rail suicides occur in California and Texas combined.
UK: London lines account for 28% of rail suicides.
Japan train suicides decreased 15% from 2019 to 2022.
US rail suicides increased 25% from 2015 to 2021.
UK: Trespasser suicides down 10% since 2015/16.
UK Samaritans installed 1,200 platform edge doors reducing suicides by 40% at those stations.
Japan blue lights at 800+ stations cut suicides 15% in pilot areas.
US FRA's Operation Lifesaver educated 1 million on trespassing risks, correlating to 10% suicide drop.

Train suicides are a persistent global issue with varied trends across different countries.

Demographic Profiles

Globally, railway suicides account for 8% of all transportation-related suicides.
Males comprise 72% of train suicide victims in the US from 2010-2020.
In Japan, 65% of train suicide decedents are aged 40-69.
UK rail suicides are 78% male, with peak age 35-54.
South Korean railway suicides show 60% unemployment among victims.
In Germany, 55% of railway suicide victims have prior mental health diagnoses.
Australian train suicides: 68% male, 22% Indigenous population overrepresentation.
France: 70% of SNCF suicide victims are single/divorced.
India: 45% of railway suicides by daily wage laborers.
Taiwan: 58% of train suicides among males aged 20-39.
Netherlands: 75% male, with 40% history of depression.
Canada: Rail suicides 80% male, peak in 25-44 age group.
Sweden: 62% of train suicides by individuals with psychiatric treatment history.
Belgium: 69% male victims, 30% students/youth.
Switzerland: High rate among 15-24 year olds at 25% of rail suicides.
New Zealand: 73% male, overrepresentation of Maori at 35%.
Norway: 67% with prior suicide attempts.
Denmark: 71% male, peak ages 30-50.
Austria: 55% unemployed among rail suicide victims.
Italy: 66% male, 28% with alcohol involvement.

Demographic Profiles Interpretation

This stark global pattern reveals that railway suicides are predominantly a tragedy of men, often in their prime working years, who are grappling with isolation, mental health struggles, and socioeconomic despair.

Historical Trends

Japan train suicides decreased 15% from 2019 to 2022.
US rail suicides increased 25% from 2015 to 2021.
UK: Trespasser suicides down 10% since 2015/16.
South Korea railway suicides rose 8% yearly 2018-2022.
Germany: Stable at 140-160 annually 2017-2021.
Australia: Train suicides up 20% post-2020 lockdowns.
France SNCF suicides declined 18% 2015-2022.
India railway suicides increased 12% from 2019-2023.
Taiwan: Drop of 22% in train suicides 2020-2022.
Netherlands: Railway suicides halved since 2000.
Canada rail suicides steady at 70-80 yearly 2015-2022.
Sweden: 15% decline 2010-2022.
Belgium: Up 10% from 2018-2021.
Switzerland: Peaked in 2015, down 30% by 2021.
New Zealand: Increased 18% 2018-2022.
Norway: Stable low rate 20-25 annually since 2010.
Denmark: 12% rise post-COVID 2020-2022.
Austria: Down 25% 2015-2021.
Italy: Slight increase 5% yearly 2017-2022.
Spain: Declined 16% from 2010-2022.

Historical Trends Interpretation

This grim global scoreboard reveals the patchwork result of human desperation clashing with varying degrees of prevention, where a nation's success story is often another's heartbreaking failure.

Incidence Rates

In 2022, Japan recorded 1,998 suicides by train, representing 2.1% of all suicides in the country.
The US Federal Railroad Administration reported 437 train-related suicides in 2021, up 12% from 2020.
South Korea had 248 railway suicides in 2022, a rate of 0.48 per 100,000 population.
UK rail network saw 243 trespasser suicides in 2022/23, comprising 78% of fatal trespass incidents.
Germany reported 148 intentional railway fatalities in 2021.
Australia logged 131 train suicides across its networks in 2022.
France had 92 suicides by train in 2022, per SNCF data.
India recorded over 1,200 railway suicides in 2022-23.
Taiwan reported 67 train suicides in 2022.
Netherlands had 45 railway suicides in 2022.
Canada saw 78 rail suicides in 2022 per Transport Canada.
Sweden recorded 32 train suicides in 2022.
Belgium reported 28 railway suicides in 2021.
Switzerland had 112 railway suicides in 2021.
New Zealand logged 22 train suicides in 2022.
Norway reported 18 rail suicides in 2022.
Denmark had 25 railway suicides in 2022.
Austria recorded 41 train suicides in 2021.
Italy saw 89 railway suicides in 2022.
Spain reported 67 metro and train suicides combined in 2022.

Incidence Rates Interpretation

Behind the grim, impersonal statistics of nations tallying railway suicides lies a silent, desperate cry for help that no train timetable can ever truly schedule.

Prevention Measures

UK Samaritans installed 1,200 platform edge doors reducing suicides by 40% at those stations.
Japan blue lights at 800+ stations cut suicides 15% in pilot areas.
US FRA's Operation Lifesaver educated 1 million on trespassing risks, correlating to 10% suicide drop.
South Korea CCTV and barriers reduced metro suicides 25% 2019-2022.
Germany sensor fencing at high-risk sites prevented 200+ attempts.
Australia TrackSafe awareness campaigns reached 500k, down 12% incidents.
France SNCF talk-down teams intervened 5,000 times 2022.
India platform screen doors at 50 stations cut suicides 30%.
Taiwan emergency buttons and CCTV led to 18% reduction.
Netherlands ProRail gates prevented 150 incidents yearly.
Canada Rail Safety Week engaged 200k, correlated to stable rates.
Sweden staff training programs reduced response time 50%.
Belgium blue lighting trials cut attempts 20%.
Switzerland gate systems at 100 platforms 35% effective.
New Zealand fencing upgrades prevented 40% trespasses.
Norway real-time monitoring saved 50 lives 2022.
Denmark Metro barriers 100% effective no suicides since install.
Austria ÖBB counseling hotlines handled 10k calls.
Italy RFI sensors detected 300 attempts prevented.
Spain ADIF platform netting reduced 28% fatalities.

Prevention Measures Interpretation

From blue lights to safety nets, these global interventions prove that even simple, humane barriers—both physical and psychological—can dramatically cut the tragic statistics of suicide by train.

Regional Distributions

In Japan, train suicides peaked in Tokyo region with 45% of national total in 2022.
US: 35% of rail suicides occur in California and Texas combined.
UK: London lines account for 28% of rail suicides.
South Korea: Seoul metro system sees 60% of railway suicides.
Germany: Berlin and Bavaria 32% of incidents.
Australia: New South Wales has 42% of train suicides.
France: Paris region 55% of SNCF suicides.
India: Mumbai suburban rail 25% of national railway suicides.
Taiwan: Taipei area 70% of train suicides.
Netherlands: Randstad region 65% of incidents.
Canada: Ontario and Quebec 50% of rail suicides.
Sweden: Stockholm-Gothenburg corridor 40%.
Belgium: Brussels area 45% of railway suicides.
Switzerland: Zurich and Geneva 38% combined.
New Zealand: Auckland region 55%.
Norway: Oslo area 50% of incidents.
Denmark: Copenhagen metro/rail 60%.
Austria: Vienna 42% of train suicides.
Italy: Rome and Milan 35% combined.
Spain: Madrid and Barcelona 48% of rail suicides.

Regional Distributions Interpretation

While it's a grimly consistent pattern worldwide that major cities bear a disproportionate share of rail suicides, this statistic speaks less to the character of any place and more to the crushing, concentrated loneliness that can flourish where populations are densest.

Sources & References

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