An inspiring new report says that fewer and fewer people are having to endure the tragedy of suicide as the global rate continues to decline.

According to a recent issue of The Economist, the global suicide rate has fallen by 29% since 2000 with notable declines in several demographic groups of people.

For starters, rates of alcohol abuse and suicide amongst middle-aged Russian men have made a notable decline since peaking following the fall of the Soviet Union.

Great Britain, as well as many other European countries, has seen a reduction in suicides after rates peaked in 1934 during the Great Depression. Suicide rates in Japan, India, and South Korea have all receded since the 1990s, with Chinese women experiencing a stunning drop of 90%.

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Even though older people tend to show higher rates of suicide compared to their younger counterparts, older demographic groups have also shown a promising decline.

The one exception to worldwide declines is the United States, where rates have risen steadily since 2000.

The Economist says that many of these declines could be thanks in part to urbanization, fewer arranged marriages, and more legislation that limits means of self-abuse.

Regardless of the reasons, the 29% decline is equal to the survival of roughly 2.8 million people over the course of the last two decades – and that is certainly no small step for mankind.

Share This Positive Trend and Some Hope on Your Timeline – Photo by Thomas Hawk, CC