Archive · 8 Nov 2025
India Second to China in Kidney Disease Cases: Lancet Study
Imagine your kidneys are like tiny filters that clean your blood.
A big study looked at how many people around the world have problems with their kidneys, called kidney disease.
It found that in 2023, a lot of people in India had this problem – 138 million!
That's the second most in the world, with China having the most.
Kidney disease is a big problem because it can lead to other sicknesses, like heart problems.
Things like eating too much salt or not enough fruits and veggies, along with not managing sugar, high blood pressure, and being overweight, can hurt your kidneys.
It's important to find kidney problems early because doctors can help stop them from getting worse.
We need to pay more attention to kidney health, especially in places where it's harder to get good healthcare.
India has the second-highest number of people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), with 138 million affected in 2023, behind China.
CKD is the ninth-leading cause of death globally and a significant contributor to heart disease deaths.
High rates of CKD are observed in North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
Major risk factors for CKD include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet, and delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The study highlights the need for increased policy attention, early screening, preventive care, and improved access to diagnosis and affordable treatment for CKD.
- Who
- Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington
- What
- A study found India has the second-highest number of people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), with 138 million affected in 2023.
- When
- Data analyzed for 1990-2023, with findings specific to 2023.
- Where
- Global study including 204 countries and territories, with a focus on India and China, and highest rates in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
- Why
- Key risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet (low fruit/vegetable intake, high salt), and delayed diagnosis and treatment, particularly in developing nations.
Global Health Challenges
Regional Health Disparities
Severity of CKD Burden
Global Health Challenges
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health crisis and the ninth-leading cause of death worldwide, contributing significantly to heart disease.
Regional Health Disparities
CKD's impact is growing fastest in regions already facing the greatest health inequities, such as developing nations like India.
Policy Attention
Global Health Challenges
Despite its growing impact, CKD receives less policy attention compared to other non-communicable diseases.
Regional Health Disparities
This lack of attention exacerbates the problem in regions already struggling with health disparities.
- Year of Data
- 2023
- Indians with CKD
- 138 million
- Highest CKD Cases
- China (152 million)
- CKD's Global Death Rank
- Ninth-leading cause
- CKD's Contribution to Heart Disease Deaths
- Nearly 12%
- Leading Risk Factors
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity
- Dietary Risk Factors
- Low fruit/vegetable intake, high salt consumption
