Euthanasia has been legal in Belgium since 2002, permitting patients suffering unbearably from an illness or accident with no possible treatment to request it.

The rise in euthanasia cases over the years has been largely attributed to the incorporation and normalization of the law.

Since 2017, the increase in euthanasia cases has been significantly influenced by the aging population.

As reported by De Standaard, the number of euthanasia cases in Belgium is increasing annually due to demographic changes.

Patients must request euthanasia voluntarily and repetitively; initial requests were minimal, with only 23 in the first year, but surged to 3,991 by 2023.

Most euthanasia cases involve patients with cancer, followed by those suffering from multiple age-related health issues, while cases related to dementia remain limited.