Suicide rates have increased 60% worldwide over the last 45 years and today suicide is one of the three leading causes of death among people aged 15 to 44. These figures do not include attempted suicides, which can be 20 times more frequent than completed suicides. For example, in Japan the 1999 suicide rate was 17.2/100,000 persons. In Denmark, the suicide rates have decreased over the last fifteen years but it still remains high at 17.5/100,000 persons. On the other hand, the last five years an increase in attempted suicides for groups at risk has been observed. OBJECTIVES: To describe parasuicide rates for groups at risk and estimate the direct cost of parasuicide in Denmark. METHODS: Age stratification of longitudinal register data on parasuicide and suicide collected by the Center for Research on Suicide and Suicide Attempts in one county in Denmark containing 10% of the national population. Based on a Swedish study, the average direct cost of a suicide attempt is approximately € 4,640. RESULTS: Groups at higher risk of parasuicide include adolescents (15 to 19 years), women (20-39 years), men (30-49 years), and men (70+ years). The direct cost of parasuicide in Denmark is estimated at € 44,288,800 yearly. CONCLUSION: In 2000, the rate for parasuicide in Funen County, Denmark, was 190.9/100.000. The parasuicide rates were higher in groups at risk. These figures may be equally as high in Japan, where a similar suicide pattern has been reported. The direct cost of parasuicide is high in Denmark, accounting for approximately 3% of the overall national health care budget. Mental disorders are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. Part of these suicides and suicide attempts may be prevented by proper treatment of mental disorders.