Deceased organ donor rate in selected countries 2023

In 2023, Spain had the highest rate of deceased organ donors among select OECD countries with 49 people per million population. Organ donation is an important life-saving method for people with organ failure and late-stage disease. 

Organ Donation

Organs can be donated from either living or deceased persons, depending on the type and supply of select organs. Each country is responsible for organizing its own organ transplant systems. In the United States, for example, organ donors are required to register to a national database. A lack of organs available for transplant remains a problem in many countries around the world. In the United States, there are almost 105 thousand people currently waiting for an organ transplant.

Global organ donations

The total number of transplants performed each year has been on the rise. Organ donations globally reached over 172 thousand in the year 2023, with kidneys accounting for a majority of the organs transplanted. The Americas and Europe make up the largest proportion of global kidney transplants, while Africa has the lowest number. The Americans and Europe also have the highest proportions of global liver transplants.