Global study finds chronic kidney disease affects 788 million people
A 2025 global analysis published in The Lancet found that chronic kidney disease cases rose from 378 million in 1990 to 788 million in 2023, moving the condition into the top 10 causes of death worldwide for the first time. The study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, reviewed 2,230 published research papers and national health datasets from 133 countries. About 14% of adults worldwide are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and roughly 1.5 million people died from the condition in 2023. After adjusting for age differences across countries, deaths were more than 6% higher than in 1993. Impaired kidney function contributed to about 12% of global cardiovascular deaths. The World Health Organization formally placed chronic kidney disease on its agenda in May 2025 to reduce early deaths from noncommunicable diseases. Study co-lead author Morgan Grams noted that the condition may be even more common than estimates suggest because many people are never tested.
What’s reported
Chronic kidney disease cases rose from 378 million in 1990 to 788 million in 2023.
The condition has moved into the top 10 causes of death worldwide for the first time.
About 14% of adults worldwide have chronic kidney disease.
Approximately 1.5 million people died from the condition in 2023.
After age adjustment, deaths were more than 6% higher than in 1993.
Impaired kidney function contributed to about 12% of global cardiovascular deaths.
In 2023, chronic kidney disease was the 12th leading cause of reduced quality of life from disability.
Biggest risk factors: high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high body mass index.
The study reviewed 2,230 papers and national health datasets from 133 countries.
The report was published in The Lancet and presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual Kidney Week conference.
In May 2025, the World Health Organization placed chronic kidney disease on its agenda for reducing early deaths from noncommunicable diseases.
Funding came from National Institutes of Health grant R01DK100446, the Gates Foundation, and the National Kidney Foundation.
Open questions
The exact number of undiagnosed chronic kidney disease cases remains unknown, as many people are never tested. The article also notes that while new medications introduced over the past five years can slow the disease, it will take time to improve outcomes on a global scale.
Key figures
Josef Coresh, MD, PhD – study co-senior author, director of NYU Langone’s Optimal Aging Institute, Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Morgan Grams, MD, PhD – study co-lead author, Susan and Morris Mark Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Patrick Mark, PhD – University of Glasgow, co-lead author.
Lauryn Stafford, MS – Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, co-lead author.
Jennifer Lees, PhD – University of Glasgow, co-senior author.
Theo Vos, PhD – Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, co-senior author.
Liane Ong, PhD – Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, co-senior author.
Sources: ScienceDaily
