Assisted dying: How laws differ around the world

Approximately 400 million people live in countries where some form of assisted dying is legal. Medical assistance in dying is available in Canada, parts of the United States, several European nations including Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and Australia. Eligibility criteria, procedural requirements, and permitted conditions vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some countries permit the practice only for terminally ill patients, while others extend access to those with chronic conditions or unbearable psychological suffering. The legal frameworks also differ on who can administer the procedure, what waiting periods apply, and what documentation is required.

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