Comparison of suicide rates and methods in English, Scots and Irish migrants in Australia.

A comparison was made of the suicide rates and methods for the period 1962-1971 of migrants in Australia from England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland with those in their country of origin. Suicide rates for all three migrant groups were very similar to each other, although greater than in their country of origin especially those for Eire. The data suggest that the official lower rates in Scotland compared with England and Wales are due to ascertainment differences. Similar conclusions were drawn regarding the official rates in Eire. Several hypotheses were raised regarding the influence of religion on suicide rates in Eire, Northern Ireland and Australia.