Diseases and quality of care – Kidney diseases

The number of patients with kidney transplant is increasing

The proportion of kidney replacement therapy patients living with a kidney transplant varied between 50–84 percent across wellbeing services counties and between 65–68 percent across collaborative areas.

Nationally, the proportion has increased from 60 percent to 67 percent over the past ten years.

Of all patients with kidney replacement therapy the aim is to increase the proportion of patients who are either on home dialysis or living with a kidney transplant 90 days after starting treatment. Despite these targets, the number of patients on home dialysis has not increased.

There are no major differences between the collaborative areas, although the proportions of patients on home dialysis and with a kidney transplant vary.

The mean age of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy continues to increase

The proportion of patients aged over 65 among those starting kidney replacement therapy has increased over the past ten years.

In 2024, the incidence of kidney replacement therapy was 97 new patients per million population. The incidence was highest among men aged 65–74.

More dialysis patients have haemoglobin levels below the target

The target haemoglobin level for patients on dialysis is at least 100 g/L. The proportion of dialysis patients whose haemoglobin level does not reach the target has increased nationwide. Over the past ten years, the proportion has risen from 14 percent to 20 percent, with a similar trend across all collaborative areas.

At the end of 2024, the proportion of patients below the target level was higher in the Eastern Finland collaborative area than in the country as a whole.

About the data in more detail

Go to the Kidney Disease Register report (fin)

Reported quality indicators

Among kidney replacement therapy patients:

• Incidence
• Prevalence
• Treatment modality at 90 days
• Time to waitlisting for kidney transplantation
• Haemoglobin level in dialysis patients
• Vascular access for haemodialysis

Among patients with kidney disease:

• Incidence (CKD stages) coming later
• Prevalence (CKD stages) coming later

Background information

Background report (fin)  
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Source

Registry for Kidney Diseases report. National Quality Registers. THL.
Data updated on 11 December 2025. The dataset includes data up to 31 December 2024.

Description of the statistics

The Registry for Kidney Diseases monitors the number of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (dialysis or kidney transplantation), the treatment modalities used, and the implementation and quality of care.

The register maintains a nationwide database that enables regional and international comparisons of care delivery and treatment outcomes. The data can be used to promote equitable care for patients and to improve treatment outcomes. In addition, the data are used in research to support the development of the quality of kidney replacement therapy.

Kidney replacement therapy is life-sustaining treatment. It places a considerable burden on patients and results in significant costs for the healthcare system. When implemented appropriately, the treatment can substantially improve patients’ quality of life and survival.

The Registry for Kidney Diseases has previously published annual reports on the website of the Munuais- ja maksaliitto. The most recent report was published in 2022. In addition to the quality indicators reported on this website, a background report has been prepared that provides further information on kidney replacement therapy in Finland.

Update schedule

The register report is published annually in December.