Annual Report Reveals Steady Growth in Euthanasia Deaths in Canada
An annual report by the Canadian government has shown that deaths by euthanasia have continued to rise steadily since the country’s Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) law came into effect in 2016. According to the report, more than 60,000 people have used euthanasia to end their lives since 2016.
In 2023, euthanasia accounted for 15,343 deaths, or 4.7% of all deaths in Canada, with the majority of recipients being older adults with a median age of 77. Most had terminal illnesses, such as cancer, although 4% had chronic conditions without imminent death.
The report also showed that the growth rate of euthanasia cases slowed in 2023, with a 15% increase compared to the previous year. However, it is unclear whether this is a sign that the numbers are leveling out.
Data on ethnicity revealed that 96% of euthanasia recipients were white, despite whites making up only 70% of the population. Asians made up 1.8% of euthanasia victims.
The majority of MAID provisions occurred in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, with these three provinces accounting for nearly 85% of all cases. In 2023, 915 individuals who requested MAID were deemed ineligible for the procedure.
Canada’s medical assistance in dying law has been expanded to include chronic conditions without imminent death, and other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands, have also introduced euthanasia laws. The United Kingdom has passed a euthanasia bill for adults in England and Wales, while euthanasia is legal in six states in the United States.