Global number of organ transplantations 2023
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The kidney is the most transplanted organ worldwide, followed by the liver and the heart. In 2023, there were a total of 172,397 organ transplants worldwide. Organ transplantation is frequently the best or only treatment for end stage organ failure, although transplantation can be challenging and complex.
Kidney transplantation
Kidney transplantation, or renal transplantation, is by far the most common type of organ transplantation worldwide. Although end stage renal disease can be treated through other means, such as dialysis, kidney transplantation is largely viewed as the best treatment option. Most kidney transplants are done in the Americas and in Europe, where there are a larger number of donors and better access to such procedures.
Organ donors
Organs can be donated either from a living donor or a deceased donor, depending on the type of organ. Organ donation frequency is different from country to country, as laws that permit or refuse donation vary. Spain, the United States, and Portugal have the highest rates of deceased organ donors worldwide; however, there are still high numbers of patients waiting for organ transplants. In the United States alone, there are almost 105 thousand candidates waiting for organ donations, the majority of which require a kidney transplantation.
