Every 2 minutes someone is waiting for a life-saving transplant, and with 40,000 organ transplants in the United States in 2023 alongside more than 103,000 people still on solid organ waiting lists as of 2024, this post breaks down the numbers behind what is saving lives today, what is falling short, and how the transplant system is evolving.
Key Takeaways
- In the US, 40,000 organ transplants occurred in 2023, up 6% from prior year.
- Over 103,000 candidates on US solid organ waiting lists as of 2024.
- 2022 deceased donors yielded 1.27 organs per donor on average.
- In 2022, 3,313 heart transplants were performed in the US.
- US heart waiting list had 3,249 active candidates in January 2024.
- Median wait time for heart transplant was 2.5 months in 2022.
- In 2022, 25,732 kidney transplants were performed in the United States, accounting for approximately 55% of all solid organ transplants.
- As of January 2024, there were 85,633 candidates on the kidney waiting list in the US.
- The median wait time for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor in the US is 3.5 years for adults aged 18-50.
- In 2022, 6,217 liver transplants were performed in the United States.
- As of 2024, 10,945 patients were active on the US liver waiting list.
- Median MELD at transplant for liver was 28.5 in 2022.
- 1-year graft survival averaged 93% across organs.
- Kidney half-life 12.5 years for deceased donor grafts.
- Liver 1-year patient survival 92.5% overall.
In 2023, US transplants rose, but thousands wait and die daily globally.
Sources & References
- Reference 1OPTNoptn.transplant.hrsa.govVisit source
- Reference 2SRTRsrtr.transplant.hrsa.govVisit source
- Reference 3UNOSunos.orgVisit source
- Reference 4EUROTRANSPLANTeurotransplant.orgVisit source
- Reference 5NOTTOnotto.mohfw.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 6WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 7ANZDATAanzdata.org.auVisit source
- Reference 8NHSBTnhsbt.nhs.ukVisit source
- Reference 9CIHIcihi.caVisit source
- Reference 10PUBMEDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 11ISHLTishlt.orgVisit source
- Reference 12ONTont.esVisit source
- Reference 13DONATELIFEdonatelife.netVisit source
- Reference 14NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
Donation and Waiting List Statistics
1In the US, 40,000 organ transplants occurred in 2023, up 6% from prior year.
Verified2Over 103,000 candidates on US solid organ waiting lists as of 2024.
Verified32022 deceased donors yielded 1.27 organs per donor on average.
Verified4Living donors totaled 6,449 in US 2022.
Directional5DCD donors increased to 7,333 in 2022, 36% of deceased donors.
Single source6Global organ transplants ~150,000 annually per WHO.
Verified7US donor designation rate 61% among eligible adults.
Verified8Pediatric candidates 2% of waiting list but 10% mortality rate.
Verified9OPO performance varied, top OPOs yield 4 organs/donor.
Directional10Spain leads with 48 pmp donors.
Single source1117 people die daily waiting in US.
Verified12Authorization rates for donation 70.2% families in 2022.
Verified13Public campaigns increased registration 5% YoY.
Verified14Elderly donors (>70) utilized in 15% cases 2022.
Directional15Australia DBD/DCD ratio 60/40 in 2022.
Single source16HCV+ donors increased 50x since 2018 policy change.
Verified17Waiting list mortality 6.9% pre-transplant.
Verified18UK donors 1,964 in 2022/23, pmp 29.
Verified19Canada 518 deceased donors in 2022.
Directional20Multi-organ donors 2,500 in US 2022.
Single source21Inactivated waiting list 30% due to death or too sick.
Verified22Donation after circulatory death 40% in Europe avg.
Verified23Hispanic donors 19% of total in US.
Verified24Pre-emptive transplants 10% of total.
DirectionalDonation and Waiting List Statistics Interpretation
In 2023 the United States pulled off 40,000 organ transplants, and while the waiting list keeps swelling past 103,000 people, the system is still a high stakes bottleneck where 17 die daily, family authorization only reaches about 70 percent, and even donor supply improvements, from DCD growth to better HCV use and varying OPO performance, cannot outpace the grim math of limited organs, uneven yields, and a pediatric and medically fragile waiting list that makes every percentage point feel like a life.
Heart and Lung Transplantation Statistics
1In 2022, 3,313 heart transplants were performed in the US.
Verified2US heart waiting list had 3,249 active candidates in January 2024.
Verified3Median wait time for heart transplant was 2.5 months in 2022.
Verified4DCD heart transplants reached 67 in the US in 2023 pilot.
Directional5Lung transplants totaled 2,641 in the US in 2022.
Single source6Eurotransplant performed 602 heart transplants in 2022.
Verified7Heart discard rate was 28.4% in 2022.
Verified81-year survival for heart transplants was 91.5% for 2018-2020.
Verified9Pediatric heart transplants had 92.3% 1-year survival.
Directional10Double lung transplants comprised 85% of lung procedures in 2022.
Single source11LAS median score at transplant for lungs was 45.2 in 2022.
Verified12Global heart transplants estimated at 10,000 annually.
Verified13HeartMate 3 LVAD bridged 45% of heart transplants in 2022.
Verified14Lung transplant rate pmp was 7.2 in US 2022.
Directional155-year survival for lungs was 54.3% for 2017 cohort.
Single source16Australia had 92 heart and 57 lung transplants in 2022.
Verified17Ex-vivo lung perfusion used in 15% of marginal lungs 2022.
Verified18Female recipients 32% of heart transplants.
Verified19UK heart transplants 247, lungs 305 in 2022/23.
Directional20Heart allocation status 1-6 revised policy increased equity 10%.
Single source21Canada heart transplants 74, lungs 104 in 2022.
Verified22Combined heart-lung transplants 25 in US 2022.
Verified23Pulmonary hypertension caused 25% of lung transplants.
Verified24Donor age >50 discarded 45% of hearts.
Directional25ECMO support pre-transplant in 12% of hearts 2022.
Single source26IPF accounted for 28% of lung transplants.
VerifiedHeart and Lung Transplantation Statistics Interpretation
In 2022 and 2023, transplant medicine delivered life-changing numbers and sobering tradeoffs at the same time: the United States performed 3,313 heart and 2,641 lung transplants while the waiting list held 3,249 active heart candidates in January 2024, with a median wait of just 2.5 months but a 28.4% heart discard rate, meaning even as one year survival for heart recipients sat at 91.5% (and 92.3% for pediatric cases), many hearts never made it to the operating room, all while lung care raced ahead with 85% double lung procedures, a 7.2 lung transplant rate per million, 54.3% five year survival, and disease and technology driving demand from pulmonary hypertension (25% of lung transplants) and IPF (28%) to ex vivo lung perfusion in 15% of marginal lungs, plus a global picture of about 10,000 heart transplants annually and policy changes that aimed to make allocation fairer without ignoring the reality that donor age over 50 and limited supply still decide far too much, far too often.
Kidney Transplantation Statistics
1In 2022, 25,732 kidney transplants were performed in the United States, accounting for approximately 55% of all solid organ transplants.
Verified2As of January 2024, there were 85,633 candidates on the kidney waiting list in the US.
Verified3The median wait time for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor in the US is 3.5 years for adults aged 18-50.
Verified4Living donor kidney transplants increased by 4% from 2021 to 2022, totaling 6,069 procedures.
Directional5Preemptive kidney transplants, performed before dialysis, made up 22% of living donor kidney transplants in 2022.
Single source6In Europe, 22,000 kidney transplants were performed in 2022 according to Eurotransplant data.
Verified7The discard rate for deceased donor kidneys in the US was 21.3% in 2022.
Verified8Pediatric kidney transplants had a 1-year graft survival rate of 97.5% from 2018-2020.
Verified9ABO-incompatible kidney transplants numbered 217 in the US in 2022.
Directional10Kidney paired donation exchanges facilitated 338 transplants in 2022 via NKDP.
Single source11In 2023, India performed over 12,000 kidney transplants annually.
Verified12The cold ischemic time for kidney transplants averaged 20.4 hours in the US in 2022.
Verified13Dual kidney transplants from marginal donors numbered 217 in 2022.
Verified14Kidney transplant rates for Black patients were 28.5 per 100 waitlist years in 2022.
Directional15Women received 41% of all kidney transplants in the US in 2022.
Single source16Hepatitis C positive kidneys transplanted to HCV-negative recipients increased 300% since 2019.
Verified17The US kidney transplant rate per million population was 70.2 in 2022.
Verified18Chain kidney transplants from paired donation averaged 4.5 donors per chain in 2022.
Verified195-year graft survival for living donor kidneys was 91.2% for 2017-2019 transplants.
Directional20Kidney transplants from DCD donors were 2,318 in 2022.
Single source21Australia reported 1,083 kidney transplants in 2022 with a pmp rate of 42.
Verified22En bloc kidney transplants from pediatric donors numbered 142 in 2022.
Verified23Kidney transplant volume grew 6% YoY in 2023 per preliminary UNOS data.
Verified2418% of kidney transplants in 2022 used machine perfusion preservation.
Directional25Hispanic patients had a kidney transplant rate of 32.1 per 100 WL years in 2022.
Single source26Simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants totaled 190 in 2022.
Verified27UK performed 3,265 kidney transplants in 2022/23.
Verified28KDPI >85% kidneys had utilization rate of 12% in 2022.
Verified29Living unrelated donor kidneys comprised 33% of living donations in 2022.
Directional30Canada had 1,487 kidney transplants in 2022 per CORR.
Single sourceKidney Transplantation Statistics Interpretation
In 2022 alone, the US performed 25,732 kidney transplants while 85,633 more people waited, meaning supply, time, and access remain a balancing act even as living donation edged up, specialized techniques like machine perfusion and hepatitis C positive kidneys gained ground, and the global picture shows that despite progress, the need for kidneys keeps outpacing the system.
Liver Transplantation Statistics
1In 2022, 6,217 liver transplants were performed in the United States.
Verified2As of 2024, 10,945 patients were active on the US liver waiting list.
Verified3Median MELD at transplant for liver was 28.5 in 2022.
Verified4Living donor liver transplants totaled 356 in the US in 2022.
Directional5DCD liver transplants numbered 901 in 2022, 14.5% of total livers.
Single source6Europe saw 9,183 liver transplants in 2022 via Eurotransplant and Scandiatransplant.
Verified7Liver discard rate was 15.2% for deceased donor livers in 2022.
Verified81-year patient survival for adult liver transplants was 93.2% for 2018-2020 recipients.
Verified9Pediatric liver transplants had 93.9% 1-year graft survival in recent data.
Directional10Split liver transplants numbered 117 in the US in 2022.
Single source11India performed approximately 2,500 liver transplants in 2023.
Verified12Average cold ischemia time for livers was 6.8 hours in 2022.
Verified13HCV-negative recipients of HCV-positive livers increased to 1,200 in 2022.
Verified14Liver transplant rate per million was 14.5 in the US in 2022.
Directional15Status 1A liver transplants dropped 20% due to ECMO advancements.
Single source165-year survival for liver transplants was 75.8% for DBLD recipients 2017-2019.
Verified17Australia reported 289 liver transplants in 2022.
Verified18Machine perfusion use for livers rose to 25% in 2022.
Verified19Black patients had liver transplant rate of 12.3 per 100 WL years.
Directional20Women received 42% of liver transplants in 2022.
Single source21Simultaneous liver-kidney transplants totaled 789 in 2022.
Verified22UK liver transplants numbered 1,060 in 2022/23.
Verified23MELD >35 livers had 1-year survival of 88.4%.
Verified24Living donor liver for adults grew 15% in 2022.
Directional25Canada performed 339 liver transplants in 2022.
Single source26ALDH2 genotype impacts liver transplant outcomes in Asians, with 20% lower rejection.
Verified273-way split livers were performed in 5 cases in Europe 2022.
VerifiedLiver Transplantation Statistics Interpretation
In 2022, the liver transplant world quietly managed a balancing act of plenty and scarcity, with 6,217 transplants in the US versus 10,945 waiting, higher stakes measured by a median MELD of 28.5, steady survival gains, and growing sophistication like more living, DCD, split, and machine perfusion grafts, all while regional totals and survival statistics underscored that success still depends on having the right organ at the right time, not just the right technology.
Survival and Outcome Statistics
11-year graft survival averaged 93% across organs.
Verified2Kidney half-life 12.5 years for deceased donor grafts.
Verified3Liver 1-year patient survival 92.5% overall.
Verified4Heart 5-year survival 75.2% for recent transplants.
Directional5Lung median survival 6.7 years post-transplant.
Single source6Rejection-free survival 80% at 1-year for kidneys.
Verified7CMV prophylaxis reduced infections 50% in transplants.
Verified8Re-transplant survival 85% of primary graft rates.
Verified9Immunosuppression adherence impacts 20% graft losses.
Directional10Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder 3-5% incidence.
Single source11Diabetes post-kidney transplant 10% new onset.
Verified1210-year survival pancreas after kidney 70%.
Verified13Malignancy risk 2x general population post-transplant.
Verified14Pediatric outcomes 95% 1-year survival all organs.
Directional15HLA matching improves kidney survival 5-10%.
Single source16BK nephropathy affects 5% kidney grafts.
Verified17Cardiac allograft vasculopathy 50% by 10 years.
Verified18BOS in lungs 50% by 5 years.
Verified19Long-term liver survival 60% at 20 years.
Directional20Gender mismatch reduces survival 3-5%.
Single source21Obesity BMI>35 halves transplant eligibility.
Verified22mTOR inhibitors reduce skin cancer 40%.
Verified23Australia 1-year survival 94% kidneys.
Verified24UK graft survival kidney 93% 1-year.
Directional25Conditional survival improves 10% after 1-year.
Single source26AI predicts graft failure with 85% accuracy.
VerifiedSurvival and Outcome Statistics Interpretation
Across organs, today’s transplant science delivers remarkably strong outcomes, with kidney grafts surviving a median 12.5 years and one-year survival averaging 93 percent, yet the long game is still hard fought as rejection-free kidney success holds at 80 percent, infections can be cut in half by CMV prophylaxis while adherence issues drive 20 percent of graft losses, late complications like BK nephropathy, lymphoproliferative disorder, malignancy risk doubling, and heart and lung vessel or airway disease (cardiac vasculopathy 50 percent by 10 years and BOS 50 percent by 5 years) remind us that survival is a marathon, not a victory lap, even as better HLA matching, more targeted immunosuppression, and AI with 85 percent accuracy help clinicians steer the course.