Over 1.9 Million Residents Register Organ Donation Decision in Denmark

All adults aged 18 and older in Denmark are now automatically registered as potential organ donors. However, you must log into sundhed.dk to confirm your active decision. By late September, nearly two million residents had recorded their choice. This update comes from figures released by the Danish Center for Organ Donation.

The total number reached 1,941,790 by the end of September. That is up from 1,404,297 in September 2024. Nearly four in ten people aged over 15 have now registered. Residents received digital notifications through e-Boks about the change. Direct communication encouraged many people to make an active choice.

Most residents who responded granted consent to donate organs. Among those registered, 66 percent agreed to donate all eligible organs. Another 16 percent granted partial consent. Meanwhile, 14 percent explicitly declined organ donation. Residents can also choose to remain undecided.

Head of the Danish Center for Organ Donation Helle Haubro Andersen shared details on donor criteria. Deceased donors generally suffer severe brain injuries like major strokes or brain hemorrhages. There is no upper age limit for donating organs in Denmark. The country's oldest donor was 92 years old in 2019. Advanced age donors often contribute organs like kidneys and livers.

National transplant operations continue to rise across Denmark. Last year, 455 patients received transplants, up from 433 in 2024. That compares to 430 in 2023 and 338 in 2022. However, Rigshospitalet faces recent criticism over capacity shortages. The hospital rejected donor livers for children and adults due to staff and space issues.