Introduction:

Suicide represents a global challenge, particularly in developing countries. In Brazil, especially in the southern region, the rates are increasing, although the understanding of spatial patterns and associated factors remains limited. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the spatial distribution of suicides in the southern region of Brazil between 2015 and 2019, considering different age groups and their associated factors.

Methods:

This is an ecological study on suicide rates in individuals aged 15 to 29, 30 to 59, and over 60 years, along with associated variables. Global and local spatial autocorrelation techniques, ordinary least squares regression, and geographically weighted regression were applied.

Results:

Suicide rates ranged from 6.3 to 75.1 (per 100,000 inhabitants), increasing progressively with age. High-risk clusters were identified across all age groups in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, while in Paraná, the suicide rates were more predominant among those aged 15 to 29.

Conclusions:

The spatial heterogeneity in suicide rates across all age groups, linked to socioeconomic factors, highlights the need for strategies to mitigate social inequalities and address this significant social issue.

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