Death in the Benelux - Statistics & Facts

In 2021, over 170,000 people died in the Netherlands, which was a significant increase compared to 2019 when 152,000 passed away, before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There was a similar trend in Belgium, as the number of deaths increased from 109,000 in 2019 to 127,000 in 2020, though it decreased again in 2021 to 112,000 deaths. In Luxembourg, the number of deaths increased slightly from 2019 to 2020, from 4,300 to 4,600, before decreasing to 4,500 in 2021. Neoplasms, also known as tumors, were the main cause of deaths in the Netherlands in 2021, with 47,100 citizens passing away from them, compared to 374,000 who died from diseases of the circulatory system, which includes heart failures and strokes. In contrast, the most common cause of death in Luxembourg were diseases of the circulatory system, slightly more common than neoplasms, with 1,086 and 1,055 deaths respectively in 2020.

Suicide

Sadly, there were many people in the Benelux who took their own life. In the Netherlands, almost 1,900 people committed suicide in 2021, equal to around 10.6 per 100,000 of the population. In comparison over 1,700 committed suicide in the less-populated country of Belgium in 2019, while 66 people did the same in Luxembourg in 2020. The most common method of suicide in Luxembourg was by hanging, as 29 out of the 66 were done so. This was similar in the Netherlands, as 862 people committed suicide by hanging or strangulation. In all of the Benelux countries, men commit suicide more frequently than women do. In the Netherlands, 1,295 men committed suicide compared to 566 women in 2021. Similarly, in 2019, 1,265 men and 463 women took their own life in Belgium, while 50 men and 16 women did the same in Luxembourg in 2020.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia can be quite a controversial topic, with many countries in Europe not allowing active euthanasia, and some not allowing passive euthanasia either. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg are among the few countries that have legalized active euthanasia in Europe, with the only other country being Spain. Active euthanasia, meaning actively terminating someone's life, such as lethal injection, has been legal in the Netherlands and Belgium since 2002, and in Luxembourg since 2009. In 2021, 7,666 cases of euthanasia were reported in the Netherlands, and 2,699 were reported in Belgium. For both countries, this was the highest since its legalization. In 2020, there were 25 reported cases of euthanasia in Luxembourg.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Feb 23, 2024

Key insights

Number of deaths in the Netherlands
170k
Number of deaths in Belgium
116k
Number of deaths in Luxembourg
4,400
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Netherlands: Death rate from 2011 to 2021 (in deaths per 1,000 inhabitants)

Netherlands

Death rate in the Netherlands 2021

Belgium: Death rate from 2011 to 2021 (in deaths per 1,000 inhabitants)

Belgium

Death rate in Belgium 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, as of January 17, 2023

Diseases

Coronavirus (COVID-19) death toll in the Benelux region January 2023

Related topics

Recommended

5

Recommended statistics

Overview

9

Overview

Demographics

7

Demographics

Suicide

6

Suicide

Diseases

4

Diseases

Other

9

Other

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Death in the U.S.
Death in the U.S.
Demographics of Belgium
Demographics of Belgium
Demographics of the Netherlands
Demographics of the Netherlands
Demographics of Luxembourg
Demographics of Luxembourg
Death in Italy
Death in Italy
Death in Canada
Death in Canada
Death in the UK
Death in the UK

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu