The number of people opting for euthanasia in Belgium rose by nearly 17% in 2024, reaching a record 3,991 cases, according to figures released by the Federal Control and Evaluation Commission on Euthanasia (FCEE) on Wednesday.
The data underscores a growing trend in assisted dying, with euthanasia now accounting for 3.6% of all deaths in the country, up from 3.1% in 2023.
The FCEE confirmed that all cases met the legal requirements. The figures highlight a significant 25% increase in the number of Dutch-speaking patients opting for euthanasia, with 3,042 cases, representing over 76% of the total.
In contrast, euthanasia cases among French-speaking patients declined from 1,001 in 2023 to 949 last year. “The commission has no possible explanation for this,” the FCEE stated.
Demographics and Medical Conditions
The majority of patients who underwent euthanasia in 2024 were over 70 years old (72.6%), with 43% aged over 80. Cases involving younger patients remained rare, with only 50 cases recorded among individuals under 40.
One minor was granted euthanasia last year, bringing the total number of minors who have undergone the procedure to six since Belgium extended its euthanasia law in 2014.
More than half (54%) of euthanasia cases involved cancer patients, followed by those suffering from chronic and incurable conditions (26.8%), severe neurological diseases (8.1%), respiratory diseases (2.9%), and cardiovascular diseases (2.6%). Euthanasia for psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment remained uncommon.
In 76.6% of cases, death was expected in the short term. However, euthanasia among non-terminal patients rose, particularly those suffering from multiple chronic conditions.
The vast majority of patients (82%) experienced both physical and psychological suffering, while 16% endured only physical pain and 1.9% suffered solely from psychological distress.
Increase in Foreign Patients Seeking Euthanasia in Belgium
For the first time, Belgium has released comprehensive data on foreign patients who underwent euthanasia in the country.
A total of 120 non-residents sought euthanasia in Belgium in 2024, following a policy change in March that lifted anonymity in euthanasia registration documents.
French nationals accounted for the vast majority of foreign cases, with 106 patients (88.3%) coming from France.
The report also included six Belgian nationals living abroad and smaller numbers of patients from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, and England.
While there is no historical data for comparison, FCEE co-chair and professor of palliative medicine, Wim Distelmans, noted that the number of foreign patients seeking euthanasia in Belgium is “progressively increasing.”
Many of these patients suffered from neurological disorders, tumors, or multiple chronic and incurable conditions.
Belgium’s euthanasia law remains among the most liberal in the world, allowing terminally ill and suffering patients, including minors under strict conditions, to request medical assistance in dying.
The latest figures highlight the growing acceptance and utilization of euthanasia, both domestically and internationally, as debates over assisted dying continue across Europe and beyond.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
