Why there is a distressing rise in kidney disease

This article is part of “Innovations in: Kidney disease”, an editorially independent special report that was produced with the financial support of Summit.

TThe global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high and growing. By 2023, it was the ninth leading cause of death among adults and the 12th leading cause of healthy years lost to illness, disability or premature death. In the United States, researchers estimate that more than one in seven adults suffer from CKD. Nine out of ten people don’t know they have it, but their kidneys will struggle to filter waste and excess water from the blood as their condition worsens.

CKD has many different triggers and is closely linked to a range of other illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and hypertension. An analysis published in 2025 showed that CKD is more common in regions with a high prevalence of diabetes, such as Oceania and the Middle East. In other regions with high rates, the cause is attributed to genetic variants within regional populations, such as in West Africa and Central America. Variability between communities highlights the complex nature of this non-infectious disease.

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COUNTRIES FIGHTING AGAINST KIDNEY DISEASE

In 1990, an estimated 378 million people aged 20 and older were living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). By 2023, this number had increased to 788 million worldwide.

The total number of people over age 20 with CKD in the United States, age-standardized, has increased 5% since 1990, reaching 11.7% in 2023. The 2023 global average was even higher, at 14.2%. Countries with large populations, such as China, have high numbers of cases, but their rates are often lower than the global average. The countries with the highest rates in 2023 are labeled.

Part of this increase can be attributed to a population that is increasing in both number and age. But CKD’s upward trend outpaces that of several other leading causes of death.

WHAT IS KIDNEY DISEASE?

Kidney disease is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of causes, but in all cases the disease disrupts the kidneys’ ability to filter waste and maintain balance in the body. It is classified based on the extent of damage and remaining kidney function.

How is kidney health monitored?

Doctors divide chronic kidney disease (CKD) into five stages based on how well the kidneys are functioning, which helps guide care. Because CKD usually develops gradually, specific treatment at each stage can slow the damage and allow the kidneys to work as well as possible.

What puts your kidneys at risk?

Kidney damage is often triggered by certain medications or another medical condition, such as severe dehydration, urinary tract blockage, or infection. Factors in the following three categories can also increase the risk of developing the disease.

Where can kidney damage occur?

The kidneys are made up of different structures, and damage to any of them can disrupt the way waste is filtered from the blood and removed from the body. Here are some examples of where and how this damage can occur.

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