Nearly 800 Million People Now Live With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), most of which go unnoticed
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major global health challenge. New data shows that almost 800 million adults worldwide live with CKD—more than twice the number reported 30 years ago. About 14% of the global adult population is affected, meaning 1 in 7 people has some level of kidney damage.
CKD grows slowly, and early symptoms are rare. Because of this, most people do not know they have it. Research shows that up to 90% of early-stage CKD cases go undiagnosed, making it one of the most overlooked chronic conditions in the world.
Much of what we know about this growing trend comes from a comprehensive report published in The Lancet, led by researchers from NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. The analysis draws on data from 204 countries and territories, examining adults aged 20 years and older over a 33-year period, from 1990 to 2023.
Their analysis shows that CKD often remains unnoticed until significant kidney damage has occurred. Routine blood and urine tests can detect early decline in kidney function, but these tests are not commonly used for screening. As a result, most people learn about their condition only when it has already progressed.
Late detection has severe consequences. CKD is now the 8th leading cause of death worldwide. It caused 1.48 million deaths in 2023, more than double the 700,000 deaths recorded in 1990.
The disease also plays a major role in heart-related deaths. Reduced kidney function increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, and contributes to over 11% of cardiovascular deaths globally. This shows that CKD affects not only the kidneys but also the entire cardiovascular system.
Why CKD Rates Are Rising Worldwide
The rise in CKD is linked to several well-established risk factors. Diabetes and hypertension—both increasingly common due to lifestyle changes, dietary patterns, and global ageing—remain the strongest drivers.
The study also points to additional influences, including genetic risks such as APOL1 variants and environmental exposures like extreme heat and agricultural chemicals, which may help explain regional clusters of CKD with unclear causes. These risk factors differ by region, which explains why some countries see faster growth than others.
Even though CKD affects hundreds of millions of people, it still does not receive enough attention from health systems. Many countries lack formal screening programmes. Simple blood and urine tests could identify CKD early, yet they are not part of routine preventive care in many regions.
Because of this gap, many people reach advanced stages before they see a specialist. This increases treatment costs and increases pressure on hospitals, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
There is strong evidence that early treatment can slow CKD progression. Medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, SGLT2 inhibitors, MRAs, and GLP-1 receptor agonists protect both the heart and the kidneys. These treatments work best when CKD is diagnosed early, long before the kidneys fail.
The findings in The Lancet report make one thing clear: CKD needs much stronger global action. Wider screening, better public education, and improved access to proven treatments are essential. Policies that reduce major risks—such as diabetes, hypertension, and environmental exposure—will also help slow CKD’s rise.
Prateeksha Kumari is a journalist and strategic communications professional specialising in digital journalism, political reporting, and public affairs. Her work focuses on grassroots issues, governance, and civic developments, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and narrative-driven reporting.
She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and has qualified the UGC-NET examination, reflecting her academic grounding in media studies and communication research. Her reporting spans politics, public policy, health, education, and socio-economic issues, and she is experienced in bilingual (Hindi and English) content creation tailored to diverse audiences.
Alongside her journalistic work, she brings experience in political communication and public relations, where she has contributed to campaign messaging, media outreach, and narrative building. She has worked on integrated communication strategies across print and digital platforms, combining editorial judgment with audience insight and data-led content approaches.
