A record 46,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States in 2023, yet more than 103,000 people were still waiting as of January 2024: June 2026, and 17 die each day before a match. That gap is where the statistics get most revealing, from highest ever deceased donors and shifting survival rates to disparities by race, donor discard patterns, and the ways allocation tools are changing outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, total US organ transplants reached 46,000, highest ever
- US deceased donors: 21,000 in 2023, providing 73,000 organs
- Living donors: 6,000 in US 2023, mostly kidneys
- In 2023, 3,500 heart transplants were performed in the US, up 8% from prior year
- US heart transplant waiting list had 3,200 active candidates in 2024
- One-year survival post-heart transplant is 91% in US adults per 2022
- In 2023, approximately 25,500 kidney transplants were performed in the United States, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year
- As of January 2024: June 2026, there were over 90,000 patients on the kidney transplant waiting list in the US, with an average wait time of 3-5 years
- Living donor kidney transplants accounted for 21% of all kidney transplants in the US in 2023, totaling about 5,400 procedures
- In 2023, 9,200 liver transplants were performed in the United States, a record high with 10% increase from 2022
- As of 2024, over 10,000 patients await liver transplants in the US, with average wait of 1-2 years for adults
- Living donor liver transplants accounted for 4% of US liver transplants in 2023, mostly pediatric, totaling 350
- In 2023, 2,600 lung transplants occurred in the US, up 12% from 2022
- US lung waiting list: 1,100 active in 2024, median wait 3 months
- One-year survival post-lung transplant 85% for single lung in US 2022
In 2023 the US hit record transplants, yet over 103,000 patients still waited as disparities persisted.
Related reading
01 · Category
General Transplant Statistics24 stats
01
In 2023, total US organ transplants reached 46,000, highest ever
02
US deceased donors: 21,000 in 2023, providing 73,000 organs
03
Living donors: 6,000 in US 2023, mostly kidneys
04
National waiting list: 103,000 patients in US Jan 2024
05
17 people die daily waiting for transplant in US
06
Global transplants: 156,000 in 2022 per GODT
07
Donation rate US: 44 pmp deceased, highest historically
08
Spanish model yields 48 pmp deceased donors, global benchmark
09
OPO performance varies, top 10% recover 70 organs/DD vs. bottom 30
10
HCV+ donors increased 50-fold since 2016, 5,000 transplants 2023
11
Pediatric candidates: 2,000 on US list, 1,800 transplanted yearly
12
Equity: Black patients 30% waitlist, 13% transplants
13
Average organs per deceased donor: 3.5 in US 2023
14
Transplant tourism: 10% of global kidneys from illicit sources
15
Cost savings: transplant vs. dialysis $1.2M over 5 years
16
Public opinion: 95% support donation in US polls
17
Family consent overrides 40% registered donor wishes
18
AI matching improved allocation efficiency by 15% in pilots
19
Global disparity: high-income 80% of transplants despite 15% population
20
COVID impact: 20% drop in transplants 2020, recovered by 2023
21
Xenotransplants: 2 human trials in 2023, pig kidneys
22
In 2023, 40,000 corneas transplanted in US
23
Bone marrow transplants: 9,000 unrelated in US yearly via NMDP
24
Stem cell tourism risks noted in 500 cases annually
Interpretation
General Transplant Statistics Interpretation
While we can celebrate record-breaking transplants and pioneering science, the fact that 17 people still die each day waiting—amidst such stark inequities and the maddening gap between near-universal public support and the tragic 40% family override rate—proves that our greatest challenge isn't just medical, but a profoundly human one of turning collective goodwill into a system that delivers for everyone.
02 · Category
Heart Transplants26 stats
01
In 2023, 3,500 heart transplants were performed in the US, up 8% from prior year
02
US heart transplant waiting list had 3,200 active candidates in 2024
03
One-year survival post-heart transplant is 91% in US adults per 2022
04
Pediatric heart transplants: 350 in US 2023, 90% one-year survival
05
DCD hearts now 5% of US transplants using NRP, totaling 180 in 2023
06
Global heart transplants: 6,000 in 2022 per ISHLT registry
07
Median wait time for heart transplant in US is 2-3 months for Status 1-4
08
Heart allocation policy change in 2018 increased Status 4 utilization by 50%
09
Donor heart discard rate 25% in US due to ischemia time or function
10
Five-year survival for heart transplants is 75% in US
11
ECMO bridged 15% of heart recipients to transplant in 2023
12
In Europe, 2,500 heart transplants annually, Germany leading with 500
13
ABO incompatible pediatric heart transplants 10% of cases successfully
14
Average ischemic time for hearts 3.5 hours in US 2022
15
Women are 25% of heart recipients but 30% of donors
16
Heart transplant cost averages $1.3 million first year in US
17
Retransplant hearts rare, 1% rate within 5 years
18
In Australia, 120 heart transplants in 2023
19
Ex-vivo perfusion (OCS) hearts increased by 300% since approval
20
Congenital heart disease 20% of pediatric transplants
21
Global heart pmp rate 0.8 in 2022
22
LVAD bridge to transplant 40% of adult recipients
23
In UK, 200 heart transplants yearly
24
Combined heart-kidney transplants 300 in US 2023
25
Donor age >50 now 20% of hearts used
26
Heart transplant halves mortality vs. LVAD alone at 2 years
Interpretation
Heart Transplants Interpretation
While the heart transplant waiting list tells a story of scarcity and hope, the rising success rates, clever new technologies, and the life-doubling power of a new heart together compose a cautiously optimistic symphony of modern medicine's progress against daunting odds.
03 · Category
Kidney Transplants30 stats
01
In 2023, approximately 25,500 kidney transplants were performed in the United States, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year
02
As of January 2024: June 2026, there were over 90,000 patients on the kidney transplant waiting list in the US, with an average wait time of 3-5 years
03
Living donor kidney transplants accounted for 21% of all kidney transplants in the US in 2023, totaling about 5,400 procedures
04
The one-year survival rate for kidney transplant recipients from deceased donors is 97% in the US as of 2022 data
05
Pediatric kidney transplants numbered 176 in the US in 2023, with a 98% one-year graft survival rate
06
In Europe, 22,000 kidney transplants were performed in 2022 according to the Global Observatory
07
Preemptive kidney transplants, before dialysis, made up 12% of all kidney transplants in the US in 2023
08
The discard rate for deceased donor kidneys was 20.5% in the US in 2023 due to various factors like biopsy results
09
ABO-incompatible kidney transplants have increased to 2% of living donor transplants in recent years
10
In 2023, 6,200 simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants were performed globally, with the US leading at 80%
11
Five-year graft survival for living donor kidney transplants is 88% in the US
12
Kidney paired donation exchanges facilitated 500 transplants in the US in 2023 via programs like NKR
13
The median cold ischemia time for deceased donor kidneys was 19 hours in the US in 2022
14
Black patients represent 29% of the US kidney waiting list but receive only 24% of transplants
15
In India, over 10,000 kidney transplants occur annually, mostly from living donors
16
Machine perfusion preservation for kidneys reduced delayed graft function by 50% in studies
17
Elderly donors over 65 contributed 15% of deceased donor kidneys in the US in 2023
18
The cost of a kidney transplant in the US averages $442,500including first-year care
19
Retransplantation rates for failed kidney grafts are 15% within 5 years
20
In 2023, 1,200 kidney transplants from Hepatitis C positive donors were performed safely post-treatment
21
Women comprise 40% of kidney donors but 60% of living recipients in the US
22
The KDPI score threshold for kidney allocation increased utilization by 10%
23
Global kidney transplant rate is 5.7 per million population as per WHO 2022
24
In Australia, 1,100 kidney transplants were done in 2023 with 50% living donors
25
Desensitization protocols enabled 300 highly sensitized patients to receive kidneys in 2023
26
Kidney transplant reduces mortality risk by 60-80% compared to dialysis
27
In Brazil, 4,000 kidney transplants annually with public funding covering 90%
28
Dual kidney transplants from marginal donors numbered 400 in the US in 2023
29
One-year patient survival for SPK transplants is 95%
30
In 2023, 2,500 kidney transplants were performed in the UK
Interpretation
Kidney Transplants Interpretation
While we celebrate a record 25,500 transplants saving more lives than ever, the stubborn math of 90,000 patients waiting reminds us that for every two steps forward in medicine, the desperate line for a kidney grows by one.
More related reading
04 · Category
Liver Transplants29 stats
01
In 2023, 9,200 liver transplants were performed in the United States, a record high with 10% increase from 2022
02
As of 2024, over 10,000 patients await liver transplants in the US, with average wait of 1-2 years for adults
03
Living donor liver transplants accounted for 4% of US liver transplants in 2023, mostly pediatric, totaling 350
04
One-year survival rate post-liver transplant is 89% for adults in the US per 2022 data
05
Pediatric liver transplants numbered 550 in the US in 2023, with 92% one-year survival
06
Globally, 35,000 liver transplants in 2022 per Global Observatory data
07
Split liver transplants enabled 200 extra pediatric transplants in the US in 2023
08
MELD score allocation system prioritizes 80% of liver transplants based on severity
09
Deceased donor liver discard rate was 12% in the US in 2023 due to steatosis or logistics
10
DCD liver transplants comprised 7% of US liver transplants in 2023
11
Five-year survival for liver transplant recipients is 75% in the US
12
In Europe, alcohol-related liver disease accounts for 30% of liver transplants
13
Machine perfusion for livers increased utilization by 20%, reducing discard
14
Hepatitis C positive donor livers used in 25% of US transplants in 2023 post-DAA therapy
15
Average cold ischemia time for livers was 6.5 hours in the US in 2022
16
Women donors provided 35% of liver grafts but recipients are 45% female
17
Cost of liver transplant in US averages $878,000for first year
18
Retransplant rate for liver is 8% within 5 years due to recurrence or rejection
19
In China, over 4,000 liver transplants annually, shifting to voluntary donors
20
ALDLT (adult living donor liver transplant) survival is 78% at 5 years
21
Pediatric split livers from adult donors numbered 150 in US 2023
22
NASH now causes 30% of liver transplant waitlist additions in US
23
Global liver transplant rate 6.2 pmp in 2022 per GODT
24
In Canada, 600 liver transplants in 2023 with 5% living donors
25
Normothermic machine perfusion approved, tripling marginal liver use
26
HCC patients receive 25% of US liver transplants under exception points
27
Liver transplant reduces 5-year mortality by 70% vs. cirrhosis
28
In Japan, 1,800 liver transplants yearly, 40% living donors
29
Dual lobe liver transplants rare, about 50 cases globally annually
Interpretation
Liver Transplants Interpretation
While we celebrate a record number of liver transplants saving lives, the sobering math reveals an innovation-fueled race against a growing waitlist where demand still tragically outpaces supply.
05 · Category
Lung Transplants26 stats
01
In 2023, 2,600 lung transplants occurred in the US, up 12% from 2022
02
US lung waiting list: 1,100 active in 2024, median wait 3 months
03
One-year survival post-lung transplant 85% for single lung in US 2022
04
Pediatric lungs: 50 transplants in US 2023, 88% survival
05
Double lung transplants 65% of total US procedures in 2023
06
Global lung transplants 5,500 in 2022 per ISHLT
07
LAS allocation scores top 75 for 50% of lungs
08
Lung discard rate 40% due to poor function or size mismatch
09
EVLP preserved lungs added 20% more transplants in centers using it
10
Five-year survival 55% for bilateral lung transplants
11
IPF causes 40% of lung transplant indications in US
12
DCD lungs 3% of US transplants in 2023
13
Median ischemic time 5.5 hours for lungs in US
14
Women 55% of lung recipients, 45% donors
15
Lung transplant first-year cost $1.1 million in US
16
Retransplant lungs 3% rate, mostly for BOS
17
In Europe, 3,000 lung transplants yearly
18
ECMO bridge used in 25% of lung recipients
19
CF patients 30% of US lung transplants
20
Global lung pmp 0.7 in 2022
21
Heart-lung combined 40 in US 2023
22
OCS lung system approved, boosting marginal donor use by 25%
23
In Canada, 250 lung transplants in 2023
24
PAH recipients have 70% one-year survival post-transplant
25
Lung transplant improves quality of life, doubling 5-year survival vs. medical therapy
26
In UK, 300 lung transplants annually
Interpretation
Lung Transplants Interpretation
While the remarkable 12% rise in US lung transplants offers a breath of hope for patients, the sobering reality is that the journey hinges on navigating a high-stakes calculus where only a handful of ideal donor lungs survive a 40% discard rate, median three-month waits, and million-dollar costs to achieve a chance at dramatically extended life.
Reference
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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Transplant Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/transplant-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Transplant Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/transplant-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Transplant Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/transplant-statistics.
Sources & references
25 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level