Ten percent more reports of euthanasia in 2024
(Translated from Dutch)
In 2024, the Regional Euthanasia Review Committees (RTE) received 9,958 reports of euthanasia. That is 10% more than in 2023. The number of euthanasia reports compared to the total mortality rate went from 5.4% to 5.8%.
Types of conditions
In the vast majority of reports of euthanasia (86.29%), common physical conditions such as cancer, nervous system disorders, lung disorders and/or cardiovascular disorders were involved. In 427 reports, euthanasia was granted to a patient with a form of dementia. In 219 reports, the suffering was (largely) the result of one or more psychological disorders. The RTE received 397 reports about people with a combination of age-related conditions. Finally, there were 232 reports in the residual category ‘other conditions’.
Six times the due diligence requirements were not met
In six cases, the RTE concluded that the physician had not complied with the due care requirements when providing euthanasia. Two of these reports concerned the failure to consult a consultant (correctly). One report concerned the great caution that a physician must exercise if the euthanasia request (largely) results from suffering that is the result of a mental disorder. In the three other reports, the Guideline for performing euthanasia had not been followed in a complicated procedure.
Social themes
Euthanasia was a topic of public debate last year. First, euthanasia in minors was discussed. In 2024, the RTE received and assessed one report of a minor patient who had received euthanasia due to unbearable suffering as a result of a physical condition. No new reports were received in 2024 that concerned minor patients who had received euthanasia due to unbearable suffering as a result of a mental condition. However, two reports in this category that were received in 2023 were assessed.
In addition, duo euthanasia was in the news in 2024. During the year, duo euthanasia was assessed 54 times.
Download the 2024 annual report – in Dutch
All figures are included in the RTE annual report for 2024 .
English Version of the report will be linked when available
The Netherlands