Requests for euthanasia and the benefits finally provided continue to rise in the Balearic Islands. During 2024, 48 requests for aid in dying were registered in the Islands, of which 17 were concluded with the effective benefit, which represents an increase of 41.6% compared to 2023, when 12 euthanasias were performed.
This is what is stated in the Annual Report on the Aid in Dying Benefit, published Tuesday by the Ministry of Health, which confirms a trend of sustained growth since the law came into force in June 2021. In total, the Balearic Islands has registered 41 euthanasia benefits until December 31, 2024.
Of the 48 processes processed last year in the archipelago, ten applications were denied because they did not meet the legal requirements, three people voluntarily revoked their request and 18 died during the processing of the procedure. The 17 effective benefits represent 35.4% of the total number of processes completed.
Balearic Islands, among the communities with the highest number of applications
At the state level, in 2024, 929 euthanasia request processes were recorded, of which 426 resulted in actual benefits, 45.86% of the total, which is 27.5% more than the previous year. Since the approval of the law, the number of requests in Spain has increased by 437%, reaching 2,432 accumulated requests.
By autonomous region, Catalonia leads the number of applications (303, with 142 accepted), followed by Madrid (129, with 62 accepted) and the Basque Country (75, with 50). The Balearic Islands is in sixth position, behind Andalusia and the Canary Islands, but ahead of regions such as Castilla y León, Asturias and Galicia.
Older than 60 years of age and neurological pathologies, the majority profile
The report reveals that almost 76% of the applicants were over 60 years of age, with the group over 80 years of age being particularly significant. Neurological (32.51%) and oncological (29.71%) diseases were the most frequent pathologies, together accounting for more than 62% of the cases.
As for the processes completed in 2024 in Spain, 131 applications were denied, 54 people voluntarily withdrew and 308 died before completing the procedure, which again highlights the complexity and duration of the process.
The sustained increase in requests and benefits reflects, according to Health, a greater implementation and knowledge of the law, as well as the progressive consolidation of the right to euthanasia within the public health system, also in communities such as the Balearic Islands, where cases continue to grow year after year.
