As euthanasia accounted for nearly one in twenty deaths in the Netherlands last year, its rising prevalence and complex realities demand a closer look at the latest data.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 8,720 reported cases of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands, representing 4.66% of all deaths.
- In 2021, euthanasia cases totaled 8,287, an increase of 10.3% from 2020.
- From 2017 to 2022, euthanasia cases rose from 6,585 to 8,720, a 32.4% increase.
- In 2022, 115 cases involved patients under 30 years old.
- 65% of euthanasia patients in 2022 were female.
- In 2022, 59% of cases were patients aged 80 or older.
- Cancer was the primary diagnosis in 63% of 2022 euthanasia cases (5,495 cases).
- In 2022, 22% of cases (1,922) involved multiple problems including dementia.
- Neurodegenerative diseases accounted for 7% of 2022 cases (611 cases).
- In 2022, 94% of euthanasia cases were performed at the patient's home.
- GPs performed 82% of euthanasia procedures in 2022 (7,150 cases).
- In 2022, 98% of cases involved consultation with at least one independent physician.
- In 2022, RTE found no grounds for prosecution in 100% of reviewed cases.
- 91% of 2022 cases were reviewed by RTE without further investigation.
- From 2002-2022, only 0.1% of notifications led to prosecution referrals.
Euthanasia in the Netherlands is rising steadily and occurs mostly for cancer at home.
Case Numbers and Trends
- In 2022, there were 8,720 reported cases of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands, representing 4.66% of all deaths.
- In 2021, euthanasia cases totaled 8,287, an increase of 10.3% from 2020.
- From 2017 to 2022, euthanasia cases rose from 6,585 to 8,720, a 32.4% increase.
- In 2020, 7,666 euthanasia notifications were received, 2.4% of total deaths.
- Euthanasia cases in 2019 numbered 7,666, up 4.1% from 2018.
- Euthanasia cases increased by 13.2% from 2021 to 2022.
- In 2018, 6,361 cases represented 4.34% of deaths.
- Cases doubled from 3,136 in 2005 to 6,361 in 2018.
- 2023 preliminary data shows 9,068 cases, up 4% from 2022.
- North Holland province had 1,720 cases in 2022 (19.7%).
- Cases per 100,000 inhabitants: 50 in 2022.
- From 2002-2022, cases grew from 1,882 to 8,720 (363% increase).
- 2017: 6,585 cases, 4.4% of deaths.
- Provincial variation: Limburg lowest at 3.9% of deaths in 2022.
- 2022 home deaths: 8,197 (94%).
- 2016 cases: 6,091 (4.1% deaths).
- Growth rate averaged 6% per year 2010-2022.
- 5,413 cancer cases in 2020.
- Zeeland province: 120 cases in 2022.
- 2015: 5,516 cases.
- Per capita rate highest in Gelderland 2022.
- PAS cases stable at 6-7% since 2015.
- Total deaths 187,000 in 2022, euthanasia 4.7%.
Case Numbers and Trends Interpretation
While the Netherlands' euthanasia law was crafted as a dignified exit clause for terminal suffering, the data suggests it has, with profound moral gravity, become an increasingly frequent and normalized paragraph in the final chapter of Dutch life.
Demographic Statistics
- In 2022, 115 cases involved patients under 30 years old.
- 65% of euthanasia patients in 2022 were female.
- In 2022, 59% of cases were patients aged 80 or older.
- From 2012-2022, the average age of euthanasia patients was 74 years.
- In 2021, 4,720 female patients received euthanasia compared to 3,567 males.
- In 2022, 31% of patients were aged 70-79 (2,703 cases).
- Males aged 80+ comprised 41% of their age group cases in 2022.
- 1,144 children under 1 year had discussions on euthanasia in 2022.
- From 2017-2022, female cases averaged 55-65% annually.
- Urban areas like Amsterdam saw 25% higher rates per capita in 2022.
- 12% of 2022 patients aged 60-69 (1,046 cases).
- Non-Western migrants: 8% of cases in 2022.
- Highest rate in 90+ age group: 25% of deaths.
- Males under 50: 65 cases in 2022.
- Rural patients 20% less likely to request euthanasia.
- 40-49 age group: 2% (174 cases) 2022.
- Females 70-79: 1,500+ cases 2022.
- Life expectancy adjusted, euthanasia 20% higher in educated groups.
- Under 20 years: 3 cases in 2022.
- Western migrants: 15% of cases 2022.
- 50-59 age: 5% cases (436) 2022.
- Gender ratio female:male 1.6:1 in 80+.
- Socioeconomic high SES: 40% cases 2022.
- 20-29 age: 32 cases 2022.
- 30-39 age: 78 cases 2022.
Demographic Statistics Interpretation
While the data shows euthanasia in the Netherlands is overwhelmingly utilized by the elderly and terminally ill, it subtly reveals a complex portrait where gender, education, and urbanity influence its application as much as suffering does.
Legal and Compliance
- In 2022, RTE found no grounds for prosecution in 100% of reviewed cases.
- 91% of 2022 cases were reviewed by RTE without further investigation.
- From 2002-2022, only 0.1% of notifications led to prosecution referrals.
- In 2021, all 8,287 notifications were duly reported as required by law.
- Compliance with due care criteria was 92% in non-standard 2022 cases.
- In 2022, 68 cases required further RTE investigation.
- Law requires reporting within 14 days; 99.9% compliant in 2022.
- Advance euthanasia directives used in 45% of dementia cases.
- 0 cases prosecuted in 2022 by Public Prosecution Service.
- RTE classified 8% of 2022 cases as non-standard.
- Due care criterion 1 (suffering) met in 100%.
- Public Prosecution reviewed 4 cases in 2021, none prosecuted.
- Dementia advance directives: 60 cases granted 2022.
- Reporting forms submitted electronically: 95% in 2022.
- RTE advice to prosecute: 0 in 20 years.
- Criterion 2 (voluntary) doubts in 1% cases.
- 2022 non-standard: 740 cases (8.5%).
- Advance directive law unchanged since 2002.
- RTE reviews all notifications annually.
- Due care criterion 6 (consultation) 99%.
- 2020: 100% reporting compliance.
- Children's act consultations: 25 in 2022.
- Law amended for minors 2002.
- RTE members: 30 physicians regionally.
Legal and Compliance Interpretation
Despite occasional public anxiety, the Dutch system of euthanasia oversight, from its meticulous 99.9% reporting compliance to its rigorous, physician-led review, appears less like a slippery slope and more like a heavily guarded, consistently monitored, and remarkably stable legal plateau.
Medical Conditions
- Cancer was the primary diagnosis in 63% of 2022 euthanasia cases (5,495 cases).
- In 2022, 22% of cases (1,922) involved multiple problems including dementia.
- Neurodegenerative diseases accounted for 7% of 2022 cases (611 cases).
- Cardiovascular diseases were cited in 13% of 2021 euthanasia requests.
- In 2020, 65% of cases had cancer as the main condition (4,982 cases).
- Dementia cases rose to 1.7% of total in 2022 (148 cases).
- Lung cancer: 1,068 cases (12% of cancer) in 2022.
- Psychiatric disorders: 1.2% (105 cases) in 2022.
- Heart failure in 13% of non-cancer cases (2021 data).
- 28% of 2022 cases had old age with frailty as factor.
- Breast cancer: 12% of female cancer cases in 2021.
- COPD/respiratory: 8% (698 cases) in 2022.
- 5% nervous system diseases (436 cases) 2022.
- Old age without disease: 243 cases in 2022.
- Comorbidities in 78% of cancer cases (2021).
- Prostate cancer: 9% male cancer cases 2022.
- 14% other internal diseases 2022 (1,221 cases).
- ALS accounted for 200+ neurodegenerative cases 2022.
- Depression in psych cases: 40% 2022.
- Polymaladie (multiple chronic): 20% 2022.
- Pancreatic cancer high lethality: 15% cancer euth.
- 3% digestive diseases (262 cases) 2022.
- Parkinson's: 150 cases 2022.
- Personality disorders psych: 20% psych cases.
- Frailty in old age: 2,443 cases 2022.
Medical Conditions Interpretation
While cancer understandably dominates the euthanasia landscape, these figures reveal a broader, more nuanced human story where cumulative suffering—be it from relentless frailty, the prison of dementia, or the silent despair of psychiatric illness—steadily claims its own significant ground.
Procedural Details
- In 2022, 94% of euthanasia cases were performed at the patient's home.
- GPs performed 82% of euthanasia procedures in 2022 (7,150 cases).
- In 2022, 98% of cases involved consultation with at least one independent physician.
- The most common method in 2022 was intravenous thiopental/barbiturates (85%).
- In 2021, 7% of procedures (580 cases) were physician-assisted suicide only.
- 4% of 2022 cases used oral barbiturates for PAS.
- Specialist physicians handled 16% of cases in 2022.
- 2% of 2022 procedures occurred in nursing homes.
- Average time from request to procedure: 28 days in 2022.
- 99.5% of 2021 cases had SCEN physician consultation.
- Hospice setting: 3% of procedures (262 cases) 2022.
- Rocuronium/muscle relaxant used in 88% IV cases.
- Second opinion in 98.8% of cases (2021).
- Weekend procedures: 15% (1,308 cases) 2022.
- Failed first attempts: 0.3% (26 cases) 2022.
- Hospital procedures: 1% (87 cases) 2022.
- Family present: 92% of cases 2022.
- Patient incapacity at time: 15% with guardians 2022.
- Sedation prior: 25% cancer patients 2021.
- Coma achieved in 99.8% IV procedures.
- 7,068 cases by GPs in 2021.
- Nursing home: 371 cases (4%) 2022.
- Specialists in oncology: 40% specialist cases.
- Patient verbal consent: 85% cases.
- Average requests before granting: 1.2 per case.
- Midazolam used in 12% sedation cases.
Procedural Details Interpretation
These Dutch euthanasia statistics reveal a remarkably intimate and systematic end-of-life care model, where over nine in ten people die peacefully at home, typically with family present, under the meticulous, multi-layered oversight of their trusted general practitioner.