Global Trends in Kidney Failure Incidence Over a 5-Year Period of 2019–2023; an Ecological Analysis of the International Society of Nephrology Data Publisher



Askarizade M ; Saberian F ; Zandifar S ; Jenabi A ; Ahmadipour E ; Homaee S ; Nasri H ; Mardanparvar H ; Pourpashang P
Source: Journal of Renal Injury Prevention Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney failure, a critical global health issue, has shown varying trends in incidence across different regions over the past five years. Objectives: This ecological analysis examines data from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) to identify the trend pattern of kidney failure incidence between 2019 and 2023 across the world. Methods: This ecological study was conducted to evaluate kidney failure incidence across 78 countries over a five-year period (2019–2023) using data from the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA). Data were sourced from the ISN-GKHA website and included information for 78 countries across 10 global regions. The analysis involved extracting datasets from 2019 and 2023 to calculate changes in kidney failure incidence, identifying regional and global trends. Results: The results indicated that high-income countries exhibited varying trends in kidney failure incidence. For instance, Taiwan, Korea, and Chile experienced significant increases, whereas the Czech Republic and Panama recorded decreases. In middle-income countries, the patterns were mixed; Indonesia, Mexico, and Tunisia show marked rises, while Ecuador and El Salvador reported notable declines. Meanwhile, countries like Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, and South Africa demonstrated stable rates, potentially reflecting steady healthcare systems or reliable data collection practices. Conclusion: The incidence of kidney failure across countries revealed diverse trends influenced by income levels and healthcare systems. High-income countries demonstrated variability, with significant increases in Taiwan, Korea, and Chile, contrasted by declines in the Czech Republic and Panama. Middle-income nations exhibited mixed patterns, as Indonesia, Mexico, and Tunisia reported rising rates, while Ecuador and El Salvador experienced declines. The stability observed in countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, and South Africa suggests consistent healthcare infrastructure or effective data collection practices. Registration: This study has been compiled based on data from the ISN-GKHA website, and its protocol was registered on the research registry (UIN: researchregistry11142) website (https:// gkha.theisn.org/). Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: In this ecological study, we observed that kidney failure incidence trends varied significantly across countries, influenced by economic status and healthcare infrastructure. Among high-income nations, trends were inconsistent, with marked increases in Taiwan, Korea, and Chile, while notable declines were seen in the Czech Republic and Panama. Middle-income countries displayed mixed patterns; for instance, Indonesia, Mexico, and Tunisia reported rising rates, whereas Ecuador and El Salvador experienced reductions. Stability in incidence rates in Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, and South Africa suggests robust healthcare systems or reliable data collection mechanisms. These findings highlight the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and healthcare capacity in shaping kidney failure trends globally. Please cite this paper as: Askarizade M, Saberian F, Zandifar S, Jenabi A, Ahmadipour E, Homaee S. Global trends in kidney failure incidence over a 5-year period of 2019–2023; an ecological analysis of the International Society of Nephrology data. J Renal Inj Prev. 2026; 15(1): e38655. doi: 10.34172/jrip.2025.38655. © 2026 The Author(s)