Record Number of Organ Donors in Germany Since 2012

Germany has reported its highest number of posthumous organ donors in over a decade, according to data from the German Organ Transplantation Foundation (DSO). In 2025, a total of 985 individuals donated one or more organs after death, surpassing the previous year by 32 donors. This equates to a rate of 11.8 organ donors per million inhabitants, reflecting a 3.4 percent increase from 2024. Experts describe this development as positive, although it still falls short of fully meeting the needs of patients awaiting transplants.

Throughout 2025, a total of 3,020 organs from deceased donors were distributed via the international Eurotransplant network and subsequently transplanted either within Germany or abroad. This represents a 5.8 percent rise compared to the year before. The organs transplanted included 1,495 kidneys, 823 livers, 315 hearts, 308 lungs, 76 pancreases, and three intestines, reflecting the broad range of transplantation needs addressed.

Germany has notably benefited from its participation in the Eurotransplant consortium, which coordinates the allocation of donor organs across several European countries. In 2025, German transplant centers received 3,256 organs via this network. As a result, 3,150 critically ill patients in Germany gained improved quality of life or survival through one or more transplants.

Despite this progress, the demand for donor organs remains significantly higher than supply. At the end of 2025, 8,199 individuals were still registered on transplant waiting lists across Germany. The persistent gap between available organs and patients in need underlines the ongoing challenge in organ donation and transplantation.

Regional differences in donor rates continue to be pronounced. The eastern states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, in particular, have consistently reported above-average donor rates. In these regions, the rate reached 16.3 donors per million inhabitants, nearly 38 percent above the national average. If similar rates could be achieved nationwide, the situation for patients awaiting transplantation would improve markedly.

Efforts to further boost organ donation focus on raising public awareness and encouraging individuals to document their willingness to donate. Authorities recommend discussing organ donation with family members, completing an organ donor card, and registering the decision in the national organ donation registry. Clear documentation can also help ease the burden on relatives during critical moments, ensuring that individual preferences are respected.

While the increase in donor numbers is encouraging, medical professionals emphasize the importance of continued progress to meet the needs of all patients requiring organ transplants. A combination of public education, transparent processes, and effective allocation through international cooperation remains central to addressing the ongoing challenges in organ donation in Germany.