LONDON - Students in higher education in England and Wales kill themselves at the rate of almost two every week, the first ever statistics of their kind in Britain revealed Monday.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate of suicide in 2016-17 in higher education students was 4.7 deaths per 100,000 students, equivalent to 95 suicides, a figure lower than the suicide rate in the general population.

ONS said it is the first time it has published statistics on suicides among higher education students in England and Wales.

Other key findings show male higher education students had a significantly higher rate of suicide compared with female students.

"Overall suicide rates in students have risen over the last decade. However, they have not risen consistently year on year and remain lower than the general population.

Sarah Caul, senior research officer at ONS, said: "To help provide insight into the issue of student suicides we have produced new analysis examining suicide trends among higher education students.

"The rate of suicide in 2016/17 in higher education students was 4.7 deaths per 100,000 students. The rate for suicide in female students is significantly lower than the rate in males. This is also observed when looking at overall student suicides as well as the differences in studying patterns. Today's analysis will help to develop policies and initiatives for those at greatest risk of suicide."

ONS said the number of suicides in higher education students was at its lowest in the 12 months ending July 2001, when the series began, showing 52 deaths. It rose to a peak in 2005 when 101 students took their own lives.

ONS identified 1,330 students who died by suicide between July 2001 and July 2017. Of those, 878 (66 percent) were male and 452 (34 percent) were females, with an average age of 26.

Undergraduates accounted for 83 percent of the higher education student suicides (1,109 deaths) and postgraduates accounted for 17 percent (221 deaths).

The lowest suicide rate was reported among students aged 20 and under, with the highest rate among students aged 25 to 29.