Overview
- Stateline’s analysis of CDC death‑certificate data shows the rate rose from 13.8 to 16.4 per 100,000 for 18–27-year-olds between 2014 and 2024.
- There were 1,148 Gen Z suicides in January and February 2025, roughly matching last year’s pace, according to the most recent CDC data.
- Hispanic and Black men account for roughly 85% of the increase, with suicide now the leading cause of death for young Asian Americans and the second for young Hispanic Americans.
- Georgia recorded the largest percentage increase since 2014 (about 65%), while Alaska has the highest current rate (49 per 100,000) and New Jersey the lowest (6.9, down 31%).
- States such as North Carolina and Minnesota have released prevention plans, and a federal initiative is supporting 15 states plus D.C. to reduce suicides among Black youth, as experts debate causes including untreated depression, social media effects and economic strain.