Rising relationship distress: India's youth suicide crisis
Suicide is now the top cause of death for young Indians aged 15-29, making up 17.1% of deaths in this group.
Most cases are linked to preventable issues, with nearly half tied to relationship problems—like family disputes, romantic breakups, or marriage stress.
Dowry-related pressures especially affect young women.
Family, romantic, and marriage problems dominate youth suicides
Relationship struggles—whether at home or in love—make up 48% of youth suicides, according to government data.
Family issues lead the list (32.4%), followed by romantic relationships (8%) and marriage-related stress (7.5%).
Tragically, dowry concerns account for over a quarter of marriage-linked cases.
India has the highest number of youth suicides globally
India has the highest number of youth suicides globally—over 60,700 in two years—which is almost six times more than China.
With suicide rates among young women now slightly higher than men, these numbers highlight how urgent it is to talk openly about mental health and support each other through tough times.