Marus̆ic̆ & Farmer (Reference Marušic and Farmer2001) argued that genetic factors may play a role in the variation of suicide rates in European nations. They suggested the role of the Finno-Ugrian ethnic group and the possibility that genetic factors play a role in the alcohol—suicide link. We have conducted two studies that support their argument.

First, we quantified the influence of Finno-Ugrians on European suicide rates by correlating the suicide rate of all 30 European nations with the percentage of Finno-Ugrians in the population (Reference Kondrichin and LesterKondrichin & Lester, 1997). The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.58 (two-tailedP < 0.01).

Second, Lester (Reference Lester1987) calculated the proportion of people with type O blood in 17 industrialised nations (including 12 Western European nations) and correlated this with the suicide rates. The Pearson correlation was −0.67 (two-tailed P < 0.01). Lester then noted that people in Hungary and Czechoslovakia (both in the Eastern European bloc at the time and not in the original sample) had very low proportions of type O blood and very high suicide rates compared with the original sample.

These two studies support the suggestion of Marus̆ic̆ & Farmer that genetic factors may play a role in the variation in European suicide rates.