Panel Data Analysis of Suicide Rates in Ordinance-designated Cities: Implementation of the Livelihood Protection Policy and Suicide.

Abstract

Do ordinance-designated cities make an impact on suicide rates as the implementation unit of the livelihood protection policy? This study got several findings from fixed-effect panel data analysis regressions. First, operations of the livelihood protection policy change over time and influence the suicide rate, especially of females less than 65 years of age. Cities increase the suicide rate by sending away poor people without applying public assistance. Second, poverty and isolation increase the deaths by suicide, while welfare and economic policies have an effect of suicide-prevention. Public investment, pension and public assistance prevent suicides of the needy in cities. Third, suicides of female over 65 years old are not accounted for by my model.