Death by numbers

0.3-4.6:

Percentage of all deaths reported as euthanasia or assisted dying in those jurisdictions and countries where it is legal.

Percentage of patients’ requests to end their life granted in Netherlands between 2002 and

2011.

The number of people who travelled to Switzerland for an assisted suicide between 2008 and 2012. Ages ranged from 23 to

97.

Understood to be the age of the first terminally ill minor helped to die in Belgium, in 2016, two years after the country removed age limits.

The number of lethal prescriptions issued in Oregon in

2015 under the Death With Dignity Act provisions.

The number of people who used those prescriptions to end their lives, reflecting similar statistics in previous years. Some died before taking the option.

The average age of those who choose assisted dying in Switzerland. Patients’ ages range from 23 to 97 and 58 per cent are women. Almost half of patients had a neurological disease.

According to David Seymour, the percentage of suicides in New Zealand by people with terminal illnesses or debilitating afflictions, based on a study of coronial records in the 20th century. That would have been close to 50 in the past year. Overseas figures range from 10 to 15 per cent.

32-45: 611: 17: 218: 132: 69: 8: