Aims <p>To verify the influence of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) on renal function parameters in type 2 diabetes based on well-known randomized controlled trials (RCTs).</p> Methods <p>PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and grey literature were searched for RCTs published until December 24, 2024. The quality of the RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous variables using meta-analysis. The primary outcomes were composite renal function parameters, including serum creatinine (Cr) levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR).</p> Results <p>Pooled data from 24 studies revealed that GLP-1 RA positively influenced renal outcomes in the type 2 diabetes group to some extent compared with that in the control group. GLP- 1 RA decreased serum creatinine levels (WMD=-0.10, 95%CI -0.19 to -0.01, I² = 33%, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), eGFR(WMD = 0.54, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.90, I² = 27%, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), UAE (WMD=-11.92, 95% CI − 23.50 to − 0.33, I² = 0%, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) and UACR (WMD: −1.01&#xa0;mg/g, 95% CI:−1.68, -0.34, I² = 15%, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) in the type 2 diabetes group.</p> Conclusion <p>GLP-1 RA treatment significantly elevated eGFR, decreased the UACR, and positively influenced renal function outcomes in the type 2 diabetes group.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>