Euthanasia accounts for almost 5% of deaths in Canada

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December 12, 2024
2 min read

Euthanasia accounts for almost 5% of deaths in Canada

Euthanasia, or medically assisted dying, has grown in Canada for the fifth consecutive year, though at a reduced rate, the BBC reported. The ‘Great White North’ has published its fifth annual report since euthanasia was legalised in 2016. For the first time, it also included data on the ethnicity of those seeking it.

Aside from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria have all introduced assisted dying laws over the past decade.

As many as 15,300 people chose to go through with euthanasia, or just under 5% of deaths in Canada. Lawmakers are looking to expand access to cover mental illnesses by 2027.

The figures released by Health Canada revealed that the rate of euthanasia increased in the country by nearly 16% in 2023, a massive fall from the average increase of 31%.

It is too early, it cautioned, to determine what caused the rate to drop so dramatically.

Around 96% of those who sought euthanasia had a natural death due to their condition. The other 4% on the other hand suffered from long-term chronic illness where a natural death was not imminent. The average age of Canadians who were seeking it was 77 years old and cancer was the most frequent underlying medical condition.

The report also looked into race and ethnicity for the first time. Around 96% identified as white, and make up 70% of the total Canadian population. It is not yet clear why there is this disparity.

The next most reported ethnic group were east-Asians. Being 5.7% of Canadians, they made up 1.8% of those seeking euthanasia.

Quebec had the highest usage rate, accounting for 37% of euthanasia deaths. The province has just over a fifth of the nation’s population. Its provincial government has launched a study to look into why its rate had been so high.

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