AbstractAlthough suicide rates among the elderly have declined dramatically over time, the old remain the highest risk age group. The role of sex and race and the contribution of the young-old and old-old to this marked decrease in suicide rates were considered from 1933 to 1978. A compilation of official suicide statistics by age, sex, and race is presented which reveals that decreases in elderly suicide were primarily a male and white phenomenon and that rate declines were slightly larger among the young-old than among the old-old. Some data problems and several explanations for the decline in suicide rates among the old are considered.