Belgium has reported a new peak in euthanasia cases, with 3,991 individuals choosing this option to end their lives.
Since its legalization in 2002, euthanasia cases in the country have mostly seen an annual increase.
Currently, euthanasia represents 3.6% of all deaths in Belgium.
The procedure predominantly involves those aged 70 and above, with over half of them battling cancer. Notably, 43% of those who chose euthanasia were at least 80 years old.
Though Belgium’s euthanasia laws extend to minors, such cases remain uncommon. Last year, one minor underwent euthanasia, making it a total of six minors since the 2014 law extension.
A significant majority of individuals choosing euthanasia were terminally ill, with over 80% citing both physical and psychological suffering as their reasons. A smaller group experienced solely physical pain, and very few suffered only psychologically.
Foreign nationals account for less than 1% of euthanasia cases. Among the 120 foreigners last year, most were French or Belgians residing abroad. Additionally, there were two individuals each from the Netherlands and Germany, and one from Spain, Hungary, Portugal, and England.
Data on foreigners seeking euthanasia in Belgium began in 2024, making trend analysis challenging. However, some experts, including Wims Distelmans, a professor of palliative care at the Federal Control and Evaluation Commission on Euthanasia (FCCE), suggest a “progressively increasing” trend in these cases.
Meanwhile, the British Parliament is debating a bill to relax laws on assisted dying. Critics of the proposal express concerns about insufficient safeguards for the seriously ill or vulnerable, fearing potential pressure on individuals to end their lives.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
