This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being |
| Indicator |
Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide Mortality Rate |
| Metadata update |
2023 |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Director, Population and Social Statistics |
| Contact organisation unit |
Population and Social Statistics Directorate |
| Contact person function |
Collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of population and social statistics |
| Contact phone |
+254-735-004-401, +254-202-911-000, +254-202-911-001 |
| Contact mail |
P. O. Box 30266 - 00100, Nairobi |
| Contact email |
dpss@knbs.or.ke |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: This indicator is defined as the number of suicide deaths in a given year divided by the population, expressed per 100,000 persons. Concepts: Suicide is the act of causing one’s own death. Codes X-60-84 and Y87.0 of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) are considered as suicide deaths for this indicator. |
| Unit of measure |
Rate per 100 000 population |
| Classifications |
Suicides are defined in terms of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) (See 3.a) |
| Data sources |
Health Information Management System and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System |
| Data collection method |
Registration of death and cause of death by Civil Registration Agents |
| Data collection calendar |
Annual |
| Data release calendar |
End of every year |
| Data providers |
Ministry of Health and Directorate of Civil Registration Services |
| Data compilers |
Ministry of Health, Directorate of Civil Registration Services and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Institutional mandate |
Ministry of Health is responsible for overseeing preventive and promotive health services in the country Directorate of Civil Registration Services is the government agency responsible for the registration of births and deaths occurring in the Kenya Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is the principal government agency for collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical information. It is also the custodian of official statistics. |
| Rationale |
Mental disorders are now a common occurrence in Kenya especially among young persons. Suicides are closely linked with mental disorders |
| Comment and limitations |
Death registration coverage for Kenya is less than 50 per cent. This may limit the accuracy of the suicide mortality rate for Kenya The indicator does not capture the non-fatal suicidal behaviors, such as suicide attempts and self-harm, which are also important indicators of mental health and well-being. The indicator may be influenced by social, cultural, legal, and religious factors that affect the reporting and recording of suicide deaths. The indicator does not reflect the underlying causes and risk factors of suicide, such as mental disorders, substance abuse, violence, stress, and social isolation. |
| Method of computation |
Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) = (Number of suicide deaths in a year x 100,000) / Mid-year population for the same calendar year |
| Validation |
Data on causes of death are usually validated annually by the Technical Working Committee on Health and Vital Statistics |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
The WHO provides guidance and support to Kenya to improve data collection and reporting on this indicator. |
| Quality management |
Quality management is undertaken by KNBS and the Technical Working Committee on Health and Vital Statistics The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is ISO 9001:2015 Certified. |
| Quality assurance |
KNBS adheres to the Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KesQAF) |
| Quality assessment |
Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KeSQAF) is used to assess the quality of data in terms of relevance, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, punctuality, accessibility, clarity, coherence, consistency, methodological soundness, and integrity. |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
Data on suicides are collected continuously throughout the year and is disaggregated by sex, age and cause of death. At the end of the year the data is compiled and disseminated through various reports. |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
Data provided deviates from the international standard due to the incompleteness of the death registration coverage in Kenya. |
| References and Documentation |
Kenya Vital Statistics Report (Annual), Kenya Statistical Abstract Report (Annual) Kenya Economic Survey (Annual) |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |