Victoria euthanasia deaths surge 400% in five years

Australia's Victoria state recorded a 400% rise in euthanasia cases over the past five years as legislation expands next year. The latest annual report covering July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 shows 140 euthanasia cases compared with just 28 during the same period from 2020-21. Total deaths by assisted suicide and euthanasia in Victoria reached 512 for 2025-26, representing a 31.62% increase over the previous year when there were 389 such cases. Since the program began in 2019, nearly 2,200 people have ended their lives through these methods by mid-June this year.