As legalized options for physician-assisted death steadily expand across the globe, a closer look at the data from places like Oregon, where prescriptions rose 23% in a single year, the Netherlands, where such cases now represent over 4.5% of all deaths, and Canada, which saw a 31% annual increase, reveals a profound and accelerating shift in how societies approach the end of life.
Key Takeaways
- In Oregon, 367 prescriptions for lethal medications under the Death with Dignity Act were written in 2022, marking a 23.3% increase from 298 in 2021
- Netherlands reported 8,720 cases of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in 2022, representing 4.56% of all deaths, up from 8,297 in 2021
- Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program recorded 13,241 cases in 2022, accounting for 4.1% of all deaths, a 31% increase from 10,064 in 2021
- In Oregon, 96% of DWDA patients in 2022 were white, with average age 74.1 years and 94% diagnosed with cancer
- Netherlands euthanasia patients: 59% female in 2022, average age 74 for PAS and 76 for euthanasia
- Canada MAiD 2022: 52% male, 48% female; 80% aged 65+, cancer 49% primary condition
- Oregon DWDA medications: 90% secobarbital or combination in 2022, average time to unconsciousness 3 minutes
- Netherlands 2022: barbiturates used in 98% euthanasia, lethal injection standard
- Canada MAiD 2022: 90% clinician-administered, 10% self-administered, average time 5-10 days post-provision
- Netherlands RTE reviewed 8,720 cases in 2022, 0.02% referred to prosecution
- Oregon DWDA: 100% compliance with reporting, no prosecutions since 1997
- Canada Bill C-7 expanded MAiD to non-terminal in 2021, leading to 7% waiver of capacity assessment
- Gallup poll May 2022: 72% Americans support euthanasia for pain, steady since 2013
- Pew Research 2021: 65% favor legal doctor-assisted suicide for terminal patients
- YouGov UK 2023: 78% support assisted dying legalization
Physician-assisted death is legal and increasing in many regions globally.
Demographics of Patients
- In Oregon, 96% of DWDA patients in 2022 were white, with average age 74.1 years and 94% diagnosed with cancer
- Netherlands euthanasia patients: 59% female in 2022, average age 74 for PAS and 76 for euthanasia
- Canada MAiD 2022: 52% male, 48% female; 80% aged 65+, cancer 49% primary condition
- Belgium 2021: 60% of euthanasia recipients aged 60+, 56% female, neurodegenerative diseases 18%
- Oregon DWDA: 0.4% Hispanic/Latino patients in 2022, 1.1% Asian, underrepresenting minorities
- Switzerland Dignitas: 25% non-residents from Germany in 2022 deaths, average age 70+
- California 2022: 92.5% white patients, median age 76, 65% cancer
- Netherlands 2022: 40% dementia cases in non-standard requests reviewed, mostly elderly females
- Canada MAiD: 17% cardiovascular primary condition in 2022, up from 12% in 2021, patients avg age 75
- Washington state 2022: 95% white, 2% Hispanic, average age 73, 68% cancer
- Belgium: 22% of 2021 cases had psychiatric conditions as partial reason, mostly women 50-70
- Oregon historical: married patients 66% in 2022, college-educated 74%
- New Zealand 2022: 58% female, median age 72, cancer 82%
- Spain 2022: 52% women, average age 70.5, serious incurable disease predominant
- Canada MAiD 2022: Indigenous patients 0.4%, Black 0.2%, low representation
- Netherlands: 15% under 60 in 2022 euthanasia, psychiatric 1.2% total cases
- Vermont 2022: 89% white, average age 75, 70% cancer
- Australia Victoria: 60% aged 70+, 55% male, cancer 70%
- Oregon 2022: 53% from Portland metro area, urban concentration
- Belgium 2021: French-speaking region 60% of cases vs population share
- Canada: respiratory diseases 12% MAiD primary in 2022, avg age 76
- Hawaii 2022: 85% Asian/Pacific Islander, differing from mainland
- Netherlands 2022: 25% living in nursing homes for euthanasia cases, elderly heavy
- California: 25% Latino patients in 2022, up slightly, median age 74
- Luxembourg 2022: 62% female, average age 73, cancer dominant
Demographics of Patients Interpretation
These statistics reveal a complex end-of-life landscape where the option of medically assisted death is overwhelmingly accessed by older, white, and urban populations, which inadvertently creates a map of systemic disparities as much as a measure of personal autonomy.
Legal and Policy
- Netherlands RTE reviewed 8,720 cases in 2022, 0.02% referred to prosecution
- Oregon DWDA: 100% compliance with reporting, no prosecutions since 1997
- Canada Bill C-7 expanded MAiD to non-terminal in 2021, leading to 7% waiver of capacity assessment
- Belgium Federal Control Commission reviewed 2,966 cases in 2021, 0.1% disciplinary
- Switzerland Article 115 penal code allows PAS but bans euthanasia promotion, Dignitas operates under this
- California End of Life Option Act passed 2015, renewed 2021, no residency requirement change
- Netherlands 2002 Termination of Life Act requires due care criteria, 90% GPs involved
- US Supreme Court Glucksberg 1997 upheld no federal right to PAD, enabling state laws
- Australia all 6 states legalized VAD by 2022, federal territories pending
- New Zealand End of Life Choice Act 67% referendum yes in 2020, effective 2021
- Spain Organic Law 3/2021 regulated PAD, 18-month terminal prognosis required
- Portugal Law 20/2023 decriminalized euthanasia, operational July 2023
- Canada MAiD 2022: 17 ineligible due to mental illness exclusion pending 2024
- Oregon law requires two oral requests 15 days apart, written request, mental competency
- Belgium 2014 child euthanasia law: no cases reported by 2021, strict conditions
- Washington 2008 voter initiative 1000, similar to Oregon
- Montana Baxter v State 2009 Supreme Court: PAD constitutional under dignity
- Colombia Constitutional Court 2014-2018 rulings progressive on PAD, no age limit
- Hawaii 2018 law via HB2739, first use 2022
- Vermont patient choice via legislature 2013
Legal and Policy Interpretation
The data suggests that when physician-assisted death is regulated with transparency and stringent safeguards, it functions less like a moral free-for-all and more like a tightly-run ethical audit, with society’s final checkmark being the near-total absence of prosecutions.
Methods and Procedures
- Oregon DWDA medications: 90% secobarbital or combination in 2022, average time to unconsciousness 3 minutes
- Netherlands 2022: barbiturates used in 98% euthanasia, lethal injection standard
- Canada MAiD 2022: 90% clinician-administered, 10% self-administered, average time 5-10 days post-provision
- Belgium 2021: intravenous thiopental/pancuronium in 95%, oral rare
- Switzerland PAS: sodium pentobarbital oral 15g dose standard at Dignitas, 99% success
- California 2022: DDMP2 protocol (diazepam, digoxin, morphine, propranolol) used in 70%
- Oregon 2022: 6.5% of ingestions took over 45 minutes to cause death, 3% complications reported
- Washington 2022: 85% of deaths within 40 minutes post-ingestion
- New Zealand 2022: intravenous preferred in 80%, self-administration 20%
- Spain 2022: subcutaneous or IV sedatives/muscle relaxants in all cases
- Canada Track 1 (terminal): 98% injection, average 11.9 days from request
- Netherlands PAS oral barbiturate: average 20 minutes to death
- Victoria Australia 2022: 70% self-administered oral, 30% practitioner
- Oregon historical: shift to cheaper DDMP2 from seconal, 50% in 2022
- Belgium: 5% cases used neuromuscular blockers alone precaution
- Switzerland: anti-emetic pre-medication standard for 15g pentobarbital
- Hawaii 2022: all self-administered oral secobarbital
- Canada 2022: 81% deaths same day as provision
- Netherlands 2022: 1% organ donation after euthanasia, mostly kidneys
- California: average time to death 10.5 minutes post-ingestion 2022
- Vermont 2022: 90% oral ingestion, no complications noted
- Luxembourg: propofol/relaxants IV standard
- Oregon 2022: 25% required anti-nausea meds with lethal dose
- Belgium 2021: average procedure time 10 minutes
Methods and Procedures Interpretation
The global tapestry of medically assisted death reveals a poignant and pragmatic landscape, where nations have meticulously standardized their pharmacological farewells—from the swift barbiturate coma of the Low Countries to the lingering, dignity-affirming protocols of North America—each reflecting a profound cultural calculus of compassion, cost, and control.
Outcomes and Complications
- Oregon DWDA 2022: 0.4% patients regained consciousness after ingesting, no deaths from regaining
- Netherlands 2022: 0.3% technical problems in procedures, all resolved without issue
- Canada MAiD 2022: 3.5% clinical complications, mostly prolonged death <1 hour
- Belgium 2021: 1.2% cases required additional drugs due to failure
- Switzerland Dignitas: <1% regurgitation incidents, no failures reported 2022
- California 2022: 4% took >1 hour to die, 2% seizures noted but non-fatal
- Oregon historical 1998-2022: 6 complications per 100 ingestions avg, mostly nausea/vomiting
- Washington 2022: 92% unconscious within 15 min, 5% interventions needed
- New Zealand 2022: 98% death within 3 hours, no major complications
- Spain 2022: 100% successful procedures, no complications logged
- Canada 2022: 0.6% patient awoke after sedation, intervention given
- Netherlands: 2.3% family distress post-procedure in reviews
- Victoria Australia 2022: 6% longer deaths >48 hours rare
- Oregon 2022: median time to death 13 minutes for DDMP2 vs 4 min secobarbital
- Belgium: 0.5% unexpected awakenings, all managed
- Hawaii 2022: all deaths confirmed, no complications reported
- Canada MAiD: 96% rated peaceful by clinicians 2022
- Netherlands 2022: 99.7% due care criteria met
- California: 1% required rescue after partial ingestion
- Vermont 2022: 95% death within 30 min
- Luxembourg 2022: no complications in 332 cases
- Oregon 25-year: 367 ingested but did not die, recovered
- Belgium 2021: 98% immediate death post-injection
Outcomes and Complications Interpretation
The data paints a surprisingly consistent picture: while no medical procedure is flawless, modern physician-assisted death protocols are remarkably effective and peaceful, with the vast majority of cases unfolding as intended and minor complications swiftly managed, much like any other carefully regulated end-of-life care.
Prevalence and Utilization
- In Oregon, 367 prescriptions for lethal medications under the Death with Dignity Act were written in 2022, marking a 23.3% increase from 298 in 2021
- Netherlands reported 8,720 cases of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in 2022, representing 4.56% of all deaths, up from 8,297 in 2021
- Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program recorded 13,241 cases in 2022, accounting for 4.1% of all deaths, a 31% increase from 10,064 in 2021
- Belgium had 2,966 euthanasia cases in 2021, comprising 2.5% of total deaths, with a 10.5% rise from 2020
- In Victoria, Australia, 274 permits were issued for voluntary assisted dying in 2022, with 231 deaths occurring, representing a rapid uptake since legalization in 2019
- Switzerland's Dignitas clinic assisted 197 deaths in 2022, primarily foreigners, continuing a trend of steady increase
- Oregon saw 278 patients ingest lethal medications in 2021, with 94% having cancer as terminal diagnosis
- Netherlands euthanasia cases reached 7,666 in 2020 despite COVID-19, 4.1% of deaths
- Canada MAiD cases surged to 10,064 in 2021, 3.3% of deaths
- New Zealand's first full year of End of Life Choice Act saw 302 assisted deaths in 2022, 0.63% of deaths
- Spain recorded 581 assisted dying cases in 2022 under the new law
- Portugal approved 56 euthanasia cases in its first operational year 2023
- Oregon's DWDA utilization rate stabilized at 0.62% of deaths in 2022
- Belgium's euthanasia numbers grew 11.1% to 2,700 in 2020
- California's End of Life Option Act had 853 aid-in-dying prescriptions in 2022
- Washington state reported 306 uses in 2022 under its Death with Dignity law
- Netherlands saw 812 cases of physician-assisted suicide specifically in 2022, 9.3% of total euthanasia/AS
- Canada MAiD non-eligible referrals reached 6,112 in 2022
- Oregon DWDA prescriptions per capita: 8.5 per 10,000 deaths in 2022
- Belgium pediatric euthanasia: 2 cases approved since 2014 law change up to 2021
- Queensland, Australia VAD: 50 permits in first 6 months of 2023
- Colombia's tutela court rulings led to 59 PAD cases by 2022
- Luxembourg euthanasia: 332 cases in 2022, 1.42% of deaths
- Montana's court-enabled PAD: estimated 50-100 cases annually post-Baxter ruling
- Vermont DWDA: 55 prescriptions in 2022
- Hawaii End-of-Life Choice: 20 cases in first year 2022
- Netherlands combined euthanasia/AS rate: 5.1% in 2019 pre-COVID
- Canada MAiD Track 2 (non-terminal): 463 cases in 2022, 3.5% of total
- Oregon 25-year cumulative DWDA deaths: 2,518 by 2022
Prevalence and Utilization Interpretation
The numbers paint a sobering picture: across diverse legal landscapes, the right to a physician-hastened death is not merely being chosen but is becoming an established, and increasingly common, final chapter, suggesting that when offered a legal off-ramp from unbearable suffering, a small but growing number of people will take it.
Public Opinion and Attitudes
- Gallup poll May 2022: 72% Americans support euthanasia for pain, steady since 2013
- Pew Research 2021: 65% favor legal doctor-assisted suicide for terminal patients
- YouGov UK 2023: 78% support assisted dying legalization
- Ipsos Canada 2022: 86% support MAiD for terminal illness, 59% for non-terminal suffering
- Gallup Netherlands 2021: 90% public approval of euthanasia practice
- Rasmussen US 2023: 75% support PAD for terminal patients under 6 months
- BBC UK poll 2022: 64% yes to change law for assisted dying
- Angus Reid Canada 2023: 77% oppose mental illness alone for MAiD
- Gallup Australia 2022: 80% support voluntary euthanasia laws
- Pew global 2013: 62% median support in Western Europe for PAD
- YouGov US 2023: 68% support doctor-assisted death for terminal illness
- ComRes UK 2019: 82% MPs support assisted dying, public higher
- Nanos Canada 2022: 80% support current MAiD framework
- Gallup NZ 2020: 76% voted yes in referendum
- Ifop France 2022: 94% support active euthanasia
- Morning Consult US 2023: 65% favor national legalization of PAD
- Savanta UK 2023: 75% public back assisted dying bill
- Leger Canada 2023: 62% support expansion to mental illness with safeguards
- Gallup international 2018: 58% global support for euthanasia, higher in secular nations
- Cato US 2022: 80% libertarians support PAD legalization
- Kaiser Family Foundation 2021: 59% Americans support but concerns on coercion
Public Opinion and Attitudes Interpretation
While a substantial majority across Western nations consistently endorses the right to a medically hastened death, the devil is in the details, revealing a firm public consensus for terminal suffering but a sharp drop in support when the debate shifts to mental anguish alone.
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