Germany Faces Ongoing Organ Donation Crisis as Numbers Decline

Despite urgent demand, organ donation rates in Germany remain among the lowest in Europe, with political debates stalling reforms.

Germany recorded a slight decline in organ donations in 2024, with 2,854 organs donated compared to 2,877 in 2023, according to preliminary data from the Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation (DSO).
The country continues to rank near the bottom in international comparisons, with just 11.4 donors per million residents, far below countries like Spain with 47 donors per million.
Over 8,260 people remain on waiting lists for life-saving transplants, as experts describe the situation as dire and call for increased public awareness and individual action.
A proposed shift to a 'presumed consent' system, where individuals are considered donors unless they opt out, has reignited political debate but faces resistance over concerns about personal rights and feasibility.
The DSO emphasizes the importance of documenting donor decisions in official registries, as only 15.3% of potential donors in 2024 had a recorded declaration of intent.