The number of adults living with diabetes has more than tripled in the last 20 years. It's one of the toughest health challenges we face in the 21st century and affects millions.
Approximately 1 in 10 adults across the globe already have diabetes.3
Dr Danielle Stowasser explains, "Diabetes causes high levels of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which are lifelong conditions, and gestational diabetes, which only occurs in women during pregnancy.”
She also added,
“While you’re more likely to get type 2 diabetes if a close relative has it, your lifestyle is also a major factor.”
Many health professionals have now realized the need to implement new solutions for managing and preventing Diabetes.
In this article, we’ve sourced the most interesting and informative diabetes stats to provide more insights.
Diabetes Statistics by Demographics
It’s often thought that Diabetes is a lifestyle disease that affects middle-aged people. However, with abundant research on the subject, we can see that this isn’t the case.
Dr Danielle Stowasser states, “It’s becoming more common in children and adolescents.”
It is estimated that around 352,000 Americans under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes, representing approximately 0.35% of their population. 3
Here’s a complete list of statistics related to diabetes based on demographics.
- The global prevalence of prediabetes was estimated to be 319 million people (6.2%) in 2021 and is projected to rise to 441 million (6.9%) by 2045. 1
- Diabetes prevalence is higher in urban areas (10.8%) compared to rural areas (7.2%) and higher in high-income countries (10.4%) compared to low-income countries (4.0%). 6
- Diabetes has reached epidemic levels, with almost half a billion people globally being victims of the disease. 6
- More than one in three adults have prediabetes. 2
| Ethnicity (Adults) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| American Indians or Alaskan Native | 13.6% |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 12.1% |
| Hispanic | 11.7% |
| Asian American | 9.1% |
| Non-Hispanic White | 6.9% |
| Filipino | 12.2% |
| Asian Indian | 10.8% |
| Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese | 6.1-7.1% |
| Other Asian American groups | 8.9% |
| Puerto Rican | 13.3% |
| Mexican or Mexican American | 11.1% |
| Dominican | 9.4% |
| Cuban | 9.0% |
| Central American, South American, and other Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish groups | 5.0%-7.3% |
- In 2022, the total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes was $412.9 billion, which includes $306.6 billion in direct medical expenses and $106.3 billion in lost productivity. 3
- Among people aged 65 years or older, 26.4 million (48.8%) have prediabetes. 5
- Many individuals taking high blood pressure medication have diabetes (41.2%), as well as those taking any medication in general (37.1%). 4
- An estimated 8.7 million people are living with type I diabetes around the world.9
- If all patients with type I diabetes are identified promptly, 668,000 more lives would be saved by 2040.9
- 22.8% of adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed.10
- 1.7 million adults (5.7% of those with diagnosed diabetes) have type I diabetes and use insulin.10
- There are 18,169 children and adolescents under 20 years old with type I diabetes.10
- More than 95% of diabetes patients have type II diabetes.12
- Adults with diabetes have a significantly higher risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke.14
- Diabetes is responsible for 44% of all new cases of kidney failure.14
- Annually, diabetes leads to approximately 73,000 lower limb amputations, representing 60% of all non-traumatic lower limb amputations.14
- Over 25% of Americans with diabetes suffer from diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss and blindness.14
- Each year, nearly 50,000 Americans start treatment for kidney failure due to diabetes.14
- Diabetes impacts various bodily functions, leading to diverse medical costs across different specialties, as reported by the ADA:
- 30% of diabetes-related medical costs are linked to circulatory issues that reduce limb blood flow.14
- 29% of diabetes-related medical costs are for kidney conditions.14
- 28% of diabetes-related medical costs are for conditions affecting the nervous system.14
Andrea Francis, MS, RD, LD, MLDE, CDCES, a registered dietitian and licensed diabetes educator at the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center said in an interview,
“To give you a picture, the annual incidents of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is 18,200 kids per year according to the CDC. Type 2 diabetes is the other one that we see most commonly. If you ever hear of prediabetes, that's the precursor to type 2.”
She went on to add that, “Education is an essential part of being able to navigate the ins and outs of diabetes care.”
- Women without prior diabetes can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Between 5% and 9% of pregnancies in the U.S. are impacted by this condition annually.1
- Annually, gestational diabetes affects 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the U.S.18
- Approximately 50% of women with gestational diabetes eventually develop type II diabetes.18
- The estimated global prevalence of gestational diabetes is around 4.4%.19
- In the U.S. and Canada, gestational diabetes prevalence is 11.8% with a one-step screening method and 5.0% with a two-step method, averaging 5.9%. This average is higher than that of those from Europe (5.4%) and globally (4.4%) but lower than that of Eastern and South Eastern Asia (10.1%).19
- About 70% of women with gestational diabetes may develop type II diabetes, especially within the first five years post-pregnancy. The risk levels off after about ten years. However, a diagnosis of gestational diabetes presents a chance to implement preventive measures against type II diabetes.19
- It is estimated that 14% of pregnant women globally have gestational diabetes, though variations in screening and diagnostic standards lead to differing prevalence rates.19
- Individuals with diabetes are two to three times more likely to experience depression compared to those without diabetes. Additionally, they have a 20% higher chance of suffering from anxiety than people who do not have diabetes.20
- Approximately one in eight women with gestational diabetes experience symptoms of depression following childbirth.20
Dr. Lois Jovanovič, an expert in gestational diabetes, suggests asking your doctor,
“How many women just like me with my type of diabetes have you delivered babies for in the last year?’ If the doctor says less than five, it’s not the right doctor for you.”
She also warns that gestational diabetes could be undiagnosed type II diabetes and that consistent monitoring of blood sugar levels after pregnancy is necessary.
Diabetes Death Rate Statistics
Diabetes caused 416,000 deaths in 2021.22
Dr. Paul Hsu, an epidemiologist at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health, commented on a report about diabetes deaths, saying, "Type II diabetes itself is relatively preventable, so it's even more tragic that so many deaths are occurring."
If left untreated or undiagnosed, diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy (kidney failure), and retinopathy (disease of the retina).
- The number of deaths from type II diabetes in people under 65 is rising, along with severe complications like amputations and hospitalizations in 2021.23
- In 2020, the death rate from diabetes for adults aged 65 and older was 553.4 per 100,000 people.26
- In 2019, diabetes (excluding diabetes-related kidney diseases) caused:
- 284,049 deaths overall.30
- 139,651 deaths in men.30
- 144,398 deaths in women.30
- The age-standardized death rate was 20.9 per 100,000 people. This rate varied by country, from a high of 82.6 per 100,000 in Guyana to a low of 7.2 per 100,000 in Canada.30
- In 2019, diabetes mellitus caused:
- 7.2 million years of life with disability, or 711.8 YLDs per 100,000 people.30
- The crude YLD rate nearly doubled from 376.0 per 100,000 in 2000 to 711.8 per 100,000 in 2019.30
- Age-standardized YLD rates increased from 404.2 per 100,000 in 2000 to 582.2 per 100,000 in 2019.30
- In 2021, diabetes death rates were 2.2 times higher in remote areas compared to major cities. This difference was more noticeable among females (2.7 times higher) than males (1.8 times higher).32
- Diabetes death rates rose with higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. After adjusting for age, people in the poorest areas had rates 2.4 times higher than those in the richest areas. This gap was slightly larger for women (2.5 times more) than for men (2.2 times more).32
Another more pressing issue is the connection between diabetes and obesity. Several studies have found that excess weight increases the risk of developing type II diabetes.
We pulled some stats from research papers and reports to see the true extent of this correlation.
Diabetes and Obesity Statistics
According to Sadaf Farooqi from the University of Cambridge, “There is a clear correlation between gaining weight and increased risk of type 2 diabetes, even if you don’t get it right now.”
- Major factors responsible for the rise of type II diabetes:
- Urbanization can impact diabetes prevalence by increasing the time people spend in sedentary activities and by encouraging higher consumption of animal products, high-fat foods, and highly processed foods.
- An aging population
- Low physical activity
- Being overweight and obese 13
- The incidence of obesity, found to be increasing over recent decades, correlates with an increasing rate of type II diabetes. In 2013, over one-third of American adults were obese, and over two-thirds were overweight or obese.14
- Diabetes was the seventh leading underlying cause of death in the U.S. in 2021, directly attributed to more than 103,294 deaths.3
- A total of 399,401 death certificates for 2021 mention diabetes as the underlying cause of death.3
- Other factors that place one at risk of type II diabetes include being overweight or obese, over 45 years of age, having a parent, brother, or sister with type II diabetes, exercising less than three times a week, or having a history of gestational diabetes.23
- The National Diabetes Prevention Program says people with prediabetes can cut their risk of getting type II diabetes almost in half (58% [or 71% if over 60]) by losing just 5 to 7% of their body weight.23
- The prevalence of obesity in type II diabetes is also on a significantly higher rise, increasing from 34% to 41% among the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants.23
- In the MESA study, obese individuals were nearly three times as likely to develop type II diabetes than were non-obese counterparts (20% versus 7.3%).23
- In both the MESA and NHANES groups:
- Obesity was associated with type II diabetes in 30-53% of cases.23
- More obese participants had a yearly family income below $50,000 and were more often non-Hispanic Black or Mexican American.23
- Obesity rates were lowest among non-Hispanic white females, but this group had the highest rates of obesity-related type II diabetes.23
- Programs like the Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial have shown that intensive lifestyle changes can lower the risk of developing type II diabetes by 58% in overweight or obese adults with prediabetes.25
- According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, obese adults aged 25 to 64 are at least four times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than adults of average weight.27
- By their mid-to-late 30s, 9.3% of obese adults have diabetes, compared to 1.8% of those with an average weight.27
- In 2016, 28.4% of U.S. adults were obese, and 11.6% had been diagnosed with diabetes.27
- The highest risk for diabetes is between ages 35 and 39. During this time, obese individuals are over five times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to those with average weight.27
- Obese women tend to have diabetes more than obese men until the age of 60, and after that, both categories are affected by an equal percentage.27
- Those with obesity are four times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared with normal-weight individuals in mid to late 20s.27
- Unplanned absences due to obesity and related chronic conditions cost $153 billion in the U.S. economy every year. This is a more significant impact, considering that diabetes due to obesity is quite vital for an adult in their prime working years.27
Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (when the levels of fats in your blood are off balance, which can lead to heart disease or stroke) are obesity-related complications that complicate diabetes management.
However, according to Physiologist Lindo Bacon, it’s also important to note that “there are a lot of people in that category called obese [who] don’t have any signs of disease and live long healthy lives.”
Diabetes Market Statistics
A growing prevalence of diabetes across the globe has turned the diabetes market into one of the rapidly developing segments within the health industry.
- The World Health Organization reports that about 1.5 million people died from diabetes in 2019.24
- In 2021, global healthcare spending on diabetes was nearly $966 billion.24
- In 2021, the United States spent about $11,779 per diabetes patient. This makes diabetes treatment a significant part of the pharmaceutical market.24
- In 2022, Lantus, a long-acting insulin for diabetes, was Sanofi's second top-selling drug, bringing in nearly €2.3 billion in revenue.24
- In 2022, North America led the type II diabetes market, holding a 35% share of the revenue.28
- The global Diabetes Care Devices market is projected to reach $29.41 billion by 2024. It is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12.22%, reaching $52.34 billion by 2029.31
- Globally, the United States is expected to lead in diabetes care revenue, generating $11.71 billion in 2024.31
Big pharma companies such as Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi have implemented large-scale investments to develop next-generation insulin analogs, non-insulin medicines, and digital health solutions.
Risk Factors for Diabetes-Related Complications
Factors that may increase the risk of diabetes include:
- Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk.
- 89.8% are overweight or obese in the U.S. (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²).10
- 26.9% are overweight in the U.S. (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²).10
- 47.1% have obesity in the U.S. (BMI 30.0-39.9 kg/m²).10
- 15.7% have extreme obesity in the U.S. (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m²).10
- Carrying visceral fat primarily in the abdomen—as opposed to the hips and thighs—increases the risk. Men with a waist circumference above 40 inches (101.6 cm) and women above 35 inches (88.9 cm) face higher risks.16
- Less physical activity heightens the risk. Exercise helps manage weight, utilizes gucose for energy, and enhances insulin sensitivity.16
- 31.9% are physically inactive, engaging in less than 10 minutes per week of vigorous activity across work, leisure, and transportation.10
- Having a parent or sibling with type II diabetes raises an individual's risk.16
- People of particular races and ethnicities, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islanders, are more prone to developing type II diabetes compared to white individuals.16
- Increased risk is linked with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides.16
- 39.5% have a non-HDL level ≥ 130 mg/dL.10
- 19.9% have non-HDL levels of 130-159 mg/dL.10
- 11.5% have non-HDL levels of 160-189 mg/dL.10
- 8.0% have non-HDL levels ≥ 190 mg/dL.10
- The likelihood of developing type II diabetes grows with age, particularly after 35 years.16
- Prediabetes can progress to type II diabetes if not addressed.16
- Individuals who had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (4 kg) are at higher risk.16
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, marked by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, and obesity, can increase the risk of diabetes.16
- 22.1% in the U.S. use tobacco based on self-reports or serum cotinine levels. 10
- 14.6% in the U.S. are current cigarette smokers.10
- 36.0% in the U.S. are former smokers, having smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.10
- 47.4% have an A1C value of 7.0% or higher.10
- 22.9% have an A1C value of 7.0%-7.9%.10
- 11.5% have an A1C value of 8.0%-9.0%.10
- 13.0% have an A1C value above 9.0%.10
- 10.4% of adults aged 18-44 have Ha1c levels of 10% or higher, compared to 9.4% of those aged 45-64 and 2.6% of those aged 65 and older.10
- 80.6% have systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg, or are on medication for high blood pressure.10
- 70.8% have systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, or are on medication for high blood pressure.10
- Adults with type II diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to those without diabetes.23
“Even though permanently defeating insulin resistance isn't always possible, you can help your body to be more receptive to insulin. Listen to your body, reduce stress, give it the nutrition and activity it desires.”
Future Projections of Diabetes Statistics
Current literature and trends can help us identify future patterns in diabetes and related health conditions. As the final section of our report, we’ve sourced some stats to provide more insight into what the future of diabetes holds.
- Global access to technology for automated glucose monitoring and insulin delivery could save another 673,000 lives by 2040.9
- Universal access to insulin, test strips, and practical self-management tools could increase this number by 1.98 million by 2040.9
- Currently, an estimated 537 million people worldwide have diabetes. By 2045, this number is expected to rise to about 783 million.24
- Between 2015 and 2030, the IAF Diabetes Model predicts that the number of people with type I and type II diabetes will rise by 19,629,000, reaching 54,913,000 people—a 54% increase.25
- Comparing the new Diabetes 2030 Model to IAF's previous Diabetes 2025 Model shows that there will be 1,966,700 fewer people, or 4.5% less, with diagnosed diabetes in 2030.25
- In the new model, there will be 1,519,800 (10.3%) fewer people with undiagnosed diabetes due to lower prevalence rates. As a result, the total number of diabetes cases is projected to be 3,426,500 (5.8%) lower using the Diabetes 2030 Model.25
- In this model, prediabetes is more common, with an additional 12,581,900 people (a 13.2% increase) expected to have prediabetes by 2030.25
- The NCBI research team predicts that the number of Americans with prediabetes will rise from 90.6 million in 2015 to 107.7 million in 2030. This means 30% of all Americans and 51% of seniors would have prediabetes.25
- Researchers from the CDC estimate that one in three Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. They also predict that the percentage of Americans with diabetes will at least double by 2050.27
- Over 29 million people in North America have diabetes, and this number is expected to reach 32 million by 2025.28
- The number of adults with the disease is expected to rise to 700.1 million, or 10.9% of the global population, by 2045.29
- North America and the Middle East have the most adults with the disease. By 2045, South Asia, where diabetes is rapidly increasing, is expected to nearly match the rates in Western Asia and Latin America.29
Future diabetes care is promising because of the tremendous technological and personalized medicine advancements.
For a more indepth look, the National Centre for Biotechnology Information has published a review of those advances.33
The research journey in this industry will open new treatments and preventive approaches to make managing diabetes much more effortless and reduce its impact on life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the diabetes rate in Switzerland?
As of recent data, approximately 6.8% of the adult population in Switzerland has been diagnosed with diabetes. The country has a relatively low diabetes prevalence rate compared to the global average, reflecting Switzerland’s strong healthcare system and healthy lifestyle habits. Most of the diabetes cases in Switzerland are type II, often linked to aging populations, lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions.
What nationalities are more prone to diabetes?
Ethnicities that tend to have a higher predisposition to diabetes include South Asians, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics. These populations are often at higher risk due to a combination of genetic factors and socio-economic elements that influence diet, physical activity, and access to healthcare.
What is the number 1 contributor to diabetes?
The number one contributor to type II diabetes is obesity. Excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, is strongly linked to insulin resistance, which leads to elevated blood glucose levels and eventually type II diabetes. Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition are significant factors that contribute to obesity and, consequently, diabetes.
Why is diabetes common in poor countries?
Diabetes is common in poorer countries due to a combination of factors such as lack of access to healthy foods, limited healthcare facilities, and reduced public awareness about diabetes prevention and management. The rise of inexpensive, highly processed foods, along with sedentary lifestyles in urban areas, has led to an increase in obesity and type II diabetes.
Sources
- BMC Publich Health
- CDC
- American Diabetes Association
- BMC Publich Health
- National Library of Medicine
- National Library of Medicine
- Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
- Mayo Clinic
- Type 1 Diabetes Index
- CDC
- Cleveland Clinic
- WHO
- International Diabetes Federation
- Medical News Today
- International Diabetes Federation
- Mayo Clinic
- CDC
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
- CDC
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
- International Diabetes Federation
- American Heart Association
- Statista
- National Centre for Biotechnology Information
- CDC
- Gallup
- Precedence Research
- World Economic Forum
- Pan American Health Organization
- Statista
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- National Centre for Biotechnology Information
