System: Voluntary consent (opt-in) — registration through driver’s licenses and online platforms. Deceased donors in 2024: 16,989 Donor rate: 50.4 per million population Waiting list: >100,000 people Died while waiting: ~6,700 per year Features: A developed network of Organ Procurement Organisations (OPO), high levels of kidney and liver transplantation.
United Kingdom
System: Since 2020, a presumed consent system (opt-out) has been in place, known as the "Max and Keira's Law." Deceased donors in 2024: 1,510 Donor rate: 22.3 per million population Waiting list: ~7,500 people Died while waiting: >415 per year Features: Active awareness campaigns and support for donor families contribute to increased transplantation rates.
Australia
System: Voluntary consent (opt-in) — registration through the national DonateLife register. Deceased donors in 2024: 527 Donor rate: 20.1 per million population Waiting list: ~1,800 people Died while waiting: ~130 people Features: Government campaigns to raise awareness and support donor families. DonateLife.
South Korea
System: Voluntary consent (opt-in) — registration through the national registry. Deceased donors in 2023: 483 Donor rate: 9.4 per million population Waiting list: ~31,000 people Died while waiting: ~1,000+ people Features: High share of living donation; cultural and religious beliefs affect the rate of deceased donation.
Spain
System: Presumed consent (opt-out) — all citizens are considered potential donors unless they have stated otherwise during their lifetime. Deceased donors in 2024: 2,562 Donor rate: 52.6 per million population Waiting list: ~4,800 people Died while waiting: ~360 people Features: Centralized coordination through the National Transplant Organization (ONT), training of medical personnel, and active engagement with families.
Belarus
System: Presumed consent (opt-out) — all citizens are automatically considered donors unless they opted out during their lifetime. Deceased donors in 2024: ~220 Donor rate: 23.6 per million population Waiting list: ~1,000 people Died while waiting: Official data not published (estimated: dozens of people) Features: A state-run system involving specialized national clinics and medical commissions. Decisions are made collectively. Transplantation from hopeless patients is allowed after confirmation of brain death.
Turkey
System: Voluntary consent (opt-in) — donation is only possible during a person’s lifetime if they have given consent. Deceased donors in 2024: ~486 Donor rate: 5.5 per million population Waiting list: >25,000 people Died while waiting: ~2,000 people Features: A high proportion of transplants are from living donors. Government campaigns aim to raise awareness, but deceased donation remains underdeveloped due to religious and cultural barriers.
FAQ
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about organ donation and transplantation.
What is organ transplantation?
+
Organ transplantation is the transfer of organs (or parts of them), as well as tissues, from one part of the body to another or from one person to another.
Who needs an organ transplant?
+
Anyone — an adult or child — may need a transplant. Organ failure can result from various diseases, and transplantation is often the only way to save a life.
How to register your decision for posthumous donation?
+
You need to contact the clinic where you're registered or use the eGov.kz portal. After submitting the application and verifying your identity, your decision will be entered into the Register. You will receive a certificate, and you can change your decision at any time.
What type of consent system does Kazakhstan have?
+
Kazakhstan follows a system of presumed consent with family approval. Even if a citizen consents during their lifetime, organs can only be retrieved with the family's permission.
What is the stance of world religions on transplantation?
+
All major world religions allow organ donation and transplantation if it is done altruistically and for the purpose of saving lives. In particular, the Russian Orthodox Church, Islam, and Catholicism support transplantation under these conditions.
Is the sale of organs allowed in Kazakhstan?
+
No. The sale of organs is prohibited in Kazakhstan and is punishable under the national health law. Donation is only permitted on a voluntary and unpaid basis.