Sweden records more organ donors, but tissue shortages persist

Sweden recorded 194 deceased organ donors in the first nine months of 2026, up from 167 a year earlier. Yet shortages persist, including small heart valves needed to treat children with heart defects.

The increase of just over 16% comes from a new Socialstyrelsen report. The national health authority says donated organs and tissues remain in demand as Sweden’s annual donation week begins on Monday, 2 November.

The shortages extend beyond organs. Donated skin helps treat severe burns, but the authority says Sweden’s stocks would be insufficient in a major disaster involving many seriously burned people. Corneal transplants increased by 20% in 2025, yet more donated corneas are still needed.

The donor count records people who donated after death, not people who registered their wishes. At the start of 2026, just under 1.9 million people, about 18% of the population, were in the donation register. New registrations have been declining, according to the authority.

Families also need to know a person’s wishes. Socialstyrelsen says conflicting accounts of what someone wanted can prevent donation. Residents can record either agreement or refusal in Donationsregistret through Socialstyrelsen or 1177, and should also tell their relatives.

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