Belgium recorded 4,486 euthanasia cases in 2025, the highest annual total since the practice was legalized, according to figures released by the Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia.
The commission said the total was 12.4% higher than in 2024, when 3,991 cases were recorded. Euthanasia accounted for 4% of all deaths in Belgium in 2025, compared with 3.6% the previous year, based on mortality data from StatBel.
Most patients were older adults: 73.7% were over 70, including 45% who were over 80. Cancer was the most frequently reported condition, accounting for 49.9% of cases, followed by combinations of several chronic conditions at 29.6%.
The commission reported that 1,117 patients, or 24.9% of the total, were not expected to die in the short term. That figure rose from 932 in 2024. Among those cases, 70 involved cognitive disorders such as dementia and 70 involved psychiatric conditions. The commission distinguishes psychological suffering from psychiatric illness, noting that psychological suffering can also accompany physical disease, loss of autonomy or loss of dignity.
One case involving a minor was reported in 2025, bringing the total number of euthanasia cases involving minors to seven since Belgium extended its law to children in 2014. The commission said the registration documents it reviewed met the law’s essential requirements, including a voluntary and repeated request without external pressure, a serious and incurable medical condition and constant, unbearable suffering that could not be relieved.
Euthanasia took place in patients’ homes, including nursing and assisted-living facilities, in 67.1% of cases, while 30.9% occurred in hospitals. General practitioners were the doctors most commonly responsible for reporting and carrying out the procedures. The commission said no cases from 2025 were referred to the public prosecutor.