403 students died by suicide in 2025, two-thirds teenagers

The incidence of student suicides in Bangladesh rose alarmingly in 2025, with a total of 403 students from schools, colleges, universities and madrasas taking their own lives nationwide.

Nearly two-thirds of the victims were adolescents aged between 13 and 19. Depression and emotional distress were identified as the leading triggers.

The figures were disclosed on Saturday at a press conference organized by Anchal Foundation. The findings are based on an analysis of suicide-related reports published in 165 local and national media outlets.

According to the survey, 190 of the 403 victims were school students, accounting for 47.40 percent of the total cases. At the college level, 92 students (22.8 percent) died by suicide, while 77 university students (19.10 percent) and 44 madrasa students (10.72 percent) were reported.

The report noted that emotional instability at the onset of adolescence, identity crises and academic pressure are making students increasingly vulnerable to mental health risks.

Gender-based analysis shows that 249 victims (61.8 percent) were female and 154 (38.2 percent) were male. Among teenagers aged 13 to 19, the suicide rate stood at 66.50 percent, including 190 females and 78 males. In the 20 to 25 age group, the rate was 22.6 percent, with 51 males and 40 females. The suicide of 44 children aged 1 to 12 was described as a matter of deep social concern.

Cause-based analysis identified depression (27.79 percent) and emotional hurt (23.32 percent) as the primary drivers. Academic pressure was linked to 72 deaths, most of them at the school and college levels, nearly 71 percent of whom were female. 
Relationship issues accounted for 53 deaths (13.15 percent), family conflict for 32 (7.94 percent), mental instability for 25 (6.20 percent), and sexual abuse for 14 (3.47 percent). One female student died following cyber-bullying.