Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the
prevalence and variability in suicidality in the general adult population
of Europe between 2008 and 2017.
Methods: Studies containing original data on suicidality were identified
in five electronic databases. Point, 12-month and lifetime prevalences
were calculated for various types of suicidality. Pooled
prevalence rates were calculated using a random effects model.
Subgroup analysis and multivariate meta-regression were
also performed.
Results: We identified 24 papers containing original data, which provided
97 prevalence rates for suicidality. The pooled point prevalence
rate was 3.96% (2.37–5.56), pooled 12-month prevalence 2.9%
(1.49–4.32), and pooled lifetime prevalence 5.55% (4.31–6.79). The
subgroup analysis showed that lifetime prevalence figures for wishing
to be dead and suicidal ideation were higher in areas with a
population of less than 3,849 inhabitants and in Eastern Europe.
Finally, the multivariate meta-regression showed differences with
respect to the period and type of suicidality, lower and upper age
thresholds, population size, and study area.
Conclusion: Our data showed that approximately 21% of European
individuals have wished to be dead at some point during their lifetime.
Studies like this are necessary to highlight the need for efforts
to prevent and intervene in suicidality.
