Number of candidates on organ waiting list in the U.S. by age group 2023
The age group with the largest number of individuals on the transplant waiting list in the U.S. as of November 2023 was those aged 50-64 years. This age group had 43,866 patients waiting to receive transplants at that time. There is an extensive need for organ donations in the United States.
Organ donations
In the U.S. deceased donors can donate kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, pancreas and intestines. Living donors can donate one kidney, one lung or a portion of the liver, pancreas or intestine. Livers are one of the most frequently transplanted organs, followed by the kidneys. Organs are donated mostly from middle-aged U.S. adults. Among all age groups, those aged 50 to 64 years had the highest number of organ donors in 2022.
Waiting lists
The number of organ donors in the U.S. has increased dramatically since 1988. Despite such a dramatic increase in the number of donors, there is still a great need among U.S. patients. As of 2023, the organ with the most patients waiting for transplants in the U.S. was kidneys, followed by livers. Over 88 thousand patients were in need of a kidney at that time.
Organ donations
In the U.S. deceased donors can donate kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, pancreas and intestines. Living donors can donate one kidney, one lung or a portion of the liver, pancreas or intestine. Livers are one of the most frequently transplanted organs, followed by the kidneys. Organs are donated mostly from middle-aged U.S. adults. Among all age groups, those aged 50 to 64 years had the highest number of organ donors in 2022.
Waiting lists
The number of organ donors in the U.S. has increased dramatically since 1988. Despite such a dramatic increase in the number of donors, there is still a great need among U.S. patients. As of 2023, the organ with the most patients waiting for transplants in the U.S. was kidneys, followed by livers. Over 88 thousand patients were in need of a kidney at that time.
