At the age of 12, a boy has a 1 in 4,858 chance of dying.
Comparatively, the odds for a 12-year-old girl are slightly lower at 1 in 7,143.

Common and Uncommon Causes of Death

Suicide emerges as the most common cause of death among 12-year-old boys, with a 1 in 32,870 chance. Similarly, assault by a firearm, with a 1 in 99,665 chance, and car crashes, with a 1 in 148,107 chance, also figure among the prevalent causes.

On the other end of the spectrum, we see less common causes, such as dying from a flood, which has a 1 in 2,150,202 chance, or a lightning strike, with a 1 in 2,145,443 chance.

Comparison with Other Ages and Sexes

When these odds are compared with other ages and sexes, significant differences emerge. For instance, the odds of a 12-year-old boy dying are considerably higher than that of a girl the same age. In fact, the risk for boys continues to increase, peaking at age 17 with a 1 in 996 chance, before it starts to decrease gradually. In contrast, the odds for girls improve, reaching a 1 in 8,381 chance at age 11, before increasing again.

However, it's important to note that these statistics represent extreme cases and should not detract from the joy of childhood. Instead, they should serve as a call to action to address the root causes, especially the common causes, to improve these odds.