Italy reports record organ transplants amid ongoing donation shortages

Italy is seeing a rise in organ transplant activity, with 4,678 transplants performed in 2025, the highest number ever recorded. According to the National Transplant Center (CNT), the donation rate stands at 29.8 donors per million inhabitants, placing Italy ahead of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany in European rankings.

Despite this growth, significant challenges remain. Over 8,400 patients are currently on waiting lists, and approximately 300 people die annually due to a lack of available organs. A major concern is the rate of refusal; data shows that roughly 40% to 43% of citizens express opposition to donation when registering or renewing their identity cards at municipal offices.

To address these issues and combat misinformation, the Italian Association for Organ, Tissue and Cell Donation (AIDO) is organizing a national conference at the Chamber of Deputies. The event will feature the screening of the short film ‘Briciole al cielo’, which tells the true story of a child who received a heart transplant, alongside medical experts and institutional representatives to promote informed consent and awareness.