How many people committed suicide in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Scotland in each of the last five years.

Between 2003 and 2007, the following numbers of suicides were recorded for the City of Edinburgh and for Scotland (see table 1). Suicide numbers were higher in 2007 than in 2006, both in Edinburgh and in Scotland. However, numbers fluctuate from year to year, both locally and nationally, as can be seen from the following table.
Table 1 Suicide Numbers
- Edinburgh and Scotland 2003-07

| Year


| 2003
| 2004
| 2005
| 2006
| 2007

City of Edinburgh
- Numbers
| 51
| 59
| 77
| 55
| 72

Scottish Total
- Numbers
| 793
| 835
| 763
| 765
| 838


For 2003-07, the standardised mortality ratio for suicides in the City of Edinburgh was significantly lower than for Scotland (see table 2).
Table 2 Suicide SMR
- Edinburgh and Scotland

| Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR)

Five-Year Average
| 1983-1987
| 1988-1992
| 1993-1997
| 1998-2002
| 2003-2007

City of Edinburgh
| 1.00
| 1.03
| 0.97
| 0.93
| 0.83

Notes:
Suicide definition: Deaths caused by intentional self harm and events of undetermined intent.
We encourage using a standardised mortality ratio (SMR) to compare and interpret local suicide rates (such as in Edinburgh) with the Scottish rate. The five-year SMR is more robust than yearly numbers.
If the SMR is greater than 1.00 the suicide rate is greater than for Scotland. If the SMR is less than 1.00 then the suicide rate is less than for Scotland.
This data was obtained from the Scottish Public Health Observatory website, and we also encourage using this site to access information on Scottish suicide numbers and national trends:
http:/