Germany’s organ donation rates have reached a decade-high, according to data released Tuesday by the Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation (DSO). In 2025, a total of 985 individuals donated one or more organs after death, representing a 3.4 percent increase from 2024 and equating to 11.8 donors per million inhabitants. While this marks a positive trend, the figures highlight a persistent shortfall in available organs, leaving thousands on waiting lists.
The rise in donations facilitated the transplantation of 3,020 organs, a 5.8 percent jump from the previous year. These organs, including 1,495 kidneys, 823 livers and 315 hearts, were distributed through the international Eurotransplant network and transplanted either within Germany or abroad. Transplant centers across the country performed 3,256 organ transplants, benefiting 3,150 severely ill patients.
However, the relief offered by these transplants is tempered by the sobering reality that 8,199 individuals remain on waiting lists for donated organs at the end of 2025. The disparity in donation rates across German regions continues to be a significant concern. The eastern regions – Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia – consistently outperform the national average, boasting 16.3 donors per million inhabitants – nearly 40 percent higher than the German average.
This geographic divergence raises crucial questions about the factors contributing to these different rates. Potential drivers include variations in public awareness campaigns, cultural attitudes towards organ donation and regional healthcare infrastructure. The DSO’s data underscores the need for a more equitable distribution of information and resources across Germany to bridge the donation gap and ensure wider access to potentially life-saving transplants. Furthermore, the continued reliance on international networks like Eurotransplant exposes the vulnerability of the German organ supply chain and necessitates a continued national focus on boosting domestic donation rates to lessen dependence on foreign contributions. The political implications necessitate a deepened discussion regarding incentivizing organ donation and addressing the underlying social and cultural barriers currently hindering progress.