More than half of adults prepared to donate their organs

Over half of the adult population in the Netherlands indicate they are prepared to donate their organs after death. Nearly two thirds would like to receive an organ, when in need of a transplant. Religion and age play an important part in this respect.

People rather receive than donate an organ

The proportion in the Dutch population indicating that they would like to receive an organ when in need of a transplant (63 percent) is higher than the proportion of people ready to donate their organs after death (54 percent). Approximately 10 percent reject organ donation. Only 5 percent say they do not want to receive an organ.

Opinions on receiving and donating organs, 2010

Non-religious people more often prepared to donate their organs than religious people

In the non-religious population, 61 percent are positive towards organ donation after death. The percentage of religious people with a positive attitude towards organ donation is lower. Only 27 percent of Muslims are positive towards organ donation. Among other religious denominations, differences are less obvious (approximately 50 percent).

The same more or less applies to receiving an organ; 69 percent of non-religious people are positive, but the gap between religious and non-religious people with respect to receiving an organ is not so wide.

Opinions on receiving and donating organs by religious denomination, 2010

Older people less keen on receiving donor organs than young people

Young and older people are equally prepared to donate their organs after death, but the proportion who would like to receive an organ when in need of a transplant is age-related. Approximately 70 percent in the younger age categories have a positive attitude towards receiving a donor organ versus more than 40 percent of over-75s.

Opinions on receiving and donating organs by age, 2010

Rianne Kloosterman and Karolijne van der Houwen