Since 1998, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Database on Blood Safety (GDBS) has monitored the blood supply and safety of transfusions around the world. The recently released 2025 GDBS includes data from 168 counties, representing 7.2 billion people—97% of the world’s population. Globally, just over 120 million blood donations were collected in 2023 (111 million whole blood and 9.4 million apheresis donations), up from 83.5 million donations in 2023. Globally, 85% of donations were from voluntary donors. Despite these gains in voluntary donations, persistent inequalities still exist in blood availability, especially for low-income countries. High-income countries account for 15% of the world’s population but collect 36% of all donations globally. In addition, 90% of all whole blood donations were processed into components (which is more effective use of blood), but this varied by socioeconomic status with almost all (98%) donations processed into components in high-income countries compared to 52% in low-income countries. In addition, only 29% (49/168) of countries collect, process, and produce plasma products. Furthermore, nearly one third of countries still lack specific legislation to ensure the quality of blood products, and less than two thirds regularly inspect blood collection and transfusions services. While gains have been made ensuring safe, voluntary donations worldwide, the WHO is encouraging all countries to develop policies, enact legislation, and create hemovigilance programs to ensure a safe and robust blood supply.
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