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Germany’s 2025 Organ Donations Reach Highest Since 2012

The DSO says the increase still falls short of demand, prompting calls to consider an opt-out system.

Overview

  • Germany recorded 985 postmortem donors in 2025, up 32 or 3.4%, equal to 11.8 donors per million inhabitants.
  • Eurotransplant allocated 3,020 postmortem organs, and 3,150 patients in Germany received one or more transplants during the year.
  • Waiting lists remained long at year-end with 8,199 people seeking organs, underscoring the persistent supply gap.
  • Eastern states led with 16.3 donors per million, 38% above the national average, while Berlin and Bavaria saw declines and Brandenburg and Baden-Württemberg posted increases.
  • About two-thirds of hospital contacts with the DSO do not lead to donation, often because potential donors left no documented decision, and the DSO supports renewed debate on an opt-out model.