This European Country Saves The Most Lives Here's How

One European country has been a world leader in organ donations and transplants for an incredible 26 years. We discover the reasons behind its success.

Spain has beaten its own record as the world leader in organ transplants according to figures released by the country’s National Transplant Organisation.

In 2017, a total of 5,259 transplants were carried out, topping 5,000 transplants for the first time and way ahead of 2016’s 4,818. The number was equivalent to 46.9 transplants per million people, more than double the European Union average (21.5) and significantly more than the United States (30.8)

“It is the best data in our history,” said Spain’s health minister Dolors Montserrat in a press conference to unveil the latest figures. She emphasised that Spain’s status as the world leader in transplants was due to equality.

Spain is a world example when it comes to transplants

Spain has seen a 30 percent rise in organ donations since 2014.

One important reason for the high number of organ donations and transplants in Spain is that the country has an opt-out system, in which every citizen is automatically registered as an organ donor and can then choose whether they want to opt out.

This is the opposite of countries such as the United Kingdom, which operates an opt in system, which means no one is automatically registered and citizens must choose to sign up to the organ donation register.

Several other reasons for the increase include a rising number of family members agreeing to transplants, and more transplants from people who have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Spain also has a relatively high upper age limit for donors – over half of the donations carried out in 2017 were from people over 60 and over 30 percent were from people over the age of 70.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.