Global Diabetes Cases Double in 30 Years, Affecting 800 Million

A major new study in *The Lancet* reveals that global diabetes cases among adults have doubled over the past three decades, now affecting over 800 million people worldwide. This study, the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of global diabetes rates and treatment availability, shows a significant rise in diabetes prevalence, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Conducted by scientists from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the research analyzed data from more than 140 million adults aged 18 and older, covering over 1,000 studies globally.

The study reports that adult diabetes rates rose from about seven percent in 1990 to 14 percent in 2022, with experts attributing the increase primarily to lifestyle shifts, higher obesity rates, and persistent health inequalities.

**Growing Global Health Disparities**
The findings also underscore widening health disparities worldwide. Over half of all diabetes cases are concentrated in just six nations. India has the largest diabetic population, accounting for over a quarter of global cases with approximately 212 million people. China follows with 148 million cases, with the United States, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Brazil collectively adding another 125 million cases.

In certain regions, including the Pacific islands, Caribbean, Middle East, and North Africa, diabetes affects over 25 percent of adults. Among high-income countries, the United States has the highest diabetes rate at 12.5 percent, followed by the United Kingdom at 8.8 percent. In contrast, diabetes rates among women in France, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden were between two and four percent in 2022, while rates among men in Denmark, France, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Spain, and Rwanda ranged from three to five percent.

Although higher-income countries have made strides in treating diabetes—with over 55 percent of adults receiving care in 2022—many low- and middle-income nations have not seen similar progress. Consequently, over half of adults aged 30 and older with diabetes, totaling 445 million people (59 percent), were untreated in 2022.

The study also distinguishes between diabetes types, noting that Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition that destroys insulin-producing cells, is relatively uncommon. Instead, more than 95 percent of diabetes cases are Type 2, a preventable metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to use insulin effectively.

While genetics play a role in Type 2 diabetes, the study highlights that other significant contributors include obesity, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.