Belgium sees euthanasia death rate double in 5 years

The proportion of deaths in Belgium caused by euthanasia has more than doubled over a five-year period, reaching almost 4% of all deaths in 2025, according to new numbers from the government. Belgium’s Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia released a report last week.

Right To Life UK Chief Executive Alisdair Hungerford-Morgan said Tuesday that the numbers were deeply alarming. His organization is seeking increased investment in palliative care rather than the legalization of assisted suicide. A bill to allow euthanasia failed only narrowly in the House of Commons last month.

“People suffering from mental or physical health conditions deserve protection and the best possible care, not a pathway to suicide,” he said.

What do the numbers show? The report said there were 2,445 euthanasia deaths in 2020, which nearly doubled to 4,487 in 2025. The deaths from euthanasia in the country jumped from 1.9% to 3.8% in five years.

Belgium has had a 1,809% increase in euthanasia since 2003. Only 235 people opted for assisted suicide that year, the first full year it was legal in Belgium. So far, 42,000 people have ended their lives this way. The report is released every two years as required under Belgian euthanasia law.

Is euthanasia in Belgium only for terminally ill people?

• In 2025, 1,117 people whose natural death was not expected within the coming months died by euthanasia, up 259% from 311 cases in 2020.

• These individuals may not have been terminally ill. Previous cases have included people with depression, PTSD, and blindness.

• The report recorded one euthanasia death involving a person under 18 in 2025 and another in 2024.

Has euthanasia for dementia increased in Belgium?

• In 2025, dementia was recorded as the basis for euthanasia in 77 cases, up about 40% from 56 cases in 2024.

• This represents a 250% increase compared with 2018.

What about psychiatric disorders?

• In 2025, psychiatric disorders were recorded as the basis for euthanasia in 74 cases, up about 35% from just 55 cases in 2024.

• This statistic represents an increase of about 120% since 2018.

• In 2024 and 2025, 532 people were described as experiencing “weariness of living” in their euthanasia registration documents.

Can euthanasia occur through advance directives?

• For 2024 and 2025, 15 people died by euthanasia under advance directives, meaning they had provided consent earlier but were unable to consent at the time of death.

Have couples been euthanized together?

• During 2024 and 2025, 13 couples underwent euthanasia at the same time. This was the first time such data had been recorded.