Chronic kidney disease in women has nearly doubled since 1990 — and younger women are increasingly at risk

A sweeping new analysis using 2021 Global Burden of Disease data reveals that 359 million women worldwide are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a 90% jump from 188 million in 1990. While population growth and aging are the primary drivers, the data also show a troubling rise in CKD among younger women, with about one-third of all female CKD cases occurring in women of reproductive age (15–49 years).

What's fueling the surge? The culprits are increasingly metabolic. High BMI, elevated fasting glucose, and high blood pressure are the top risk factors — and younger women are seeing sharper increases in these risk factors than older women. CKD-related deaths rose by ~181%, and cardiovascular disease — particularly ischemic heart disease — accounts for nearly half of the total disease burden linked to impaired kidney function.

By the Numbers:

• 359 million women living with CKD globally (up from 188 million in 1990)
• ~181% rise in CKD-related deaths over the study period
• ~16% of CKD cases tied to diabetic kidney disease; over one-third of CKD deaths linked to it
• High BMI risk increased 112% in women aged 15–49 vs. 45% in women 50+
• CVD accounts for 46.7% of total CKD disease burden; ischemic heart disease leads at 60.4%

Why it matters: CKD in women has shifted from being largely glomerular and infectious in origin to predominantly metabolic — a transformation with major clinical implications. Experts urge that kidney function testing be incorporated into preconception and prenatal care, and that a drop in kidney function be treated as a cardiovascular signal, not just a renal one.