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International Journal of Public Health

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01-02-2014 | Original Article

Public acceptance of euthanasia in Europe: a survey study in 47 countries

Authors: Joachim Cohen, Paul Van Landeghem, Nico Carpentier, Luc Deliens

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Objectives

In recent years, the European euthanasia debate has become more intense, and the practice was legalized in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. We aimed to determine the current degree of public acceptance of euthanasia across Europe and investigate what factors explain differences.

Methods

Data were derived from the 2008 wave of the European Values Survey (EVS), conducted in 47 European countries (N = 67,786, response rate = 69 %). Acceptance of euthanasia was rated on a 1–10 scale.

Results

Relatively high acceptance was found in a small cluster of Western European countries, including the three countries that have legalized euthanasia and Denmark, France, Sweden and Spain. In a large part of Europe public acceptance was relatively low to moderate. Comparison with the results of the previous EVS wave (1999) suggests a tendency towards a polarization in Europe, with most of Western Europe becoming more permissive and most of Eastern Europe becoming less permissive.

Conclusions

There is roughly a West-East division in euthanasia acceptance among the European public, making a pan-European policy approach to the issue difficult.

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Title: Public acceptance of euthanasia in Europe: a survey study in 47 countries
Authors: Joachim Cohen
Paul Van Landeghem
Nico Carpentier
Luc Deliens
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0461-6

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Public acceptance of euthanasia in Europe: a survey study in 47 countries

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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