Imagine a disease affecting more adults than the entire population of the European Union—that's the staggering reality of diabetes today, which impacted 537 million people globally in 2021.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, approximately 537 million adults aged 20-79 years (10.5% of the global population in that age group) were living with diabetes worldwide
- Globally, 1 in 10 adults aged 20-79 years (537 million people) had diabetes in 2021, with projections to rise to 643 million by 2030
- The global diabetes prevalence among adults aged 20-79 years increased from 7.5% in 2016 to 10.5% in 2021, affecting 537 million individuals
- The Western Pacific region had 206 million adults with diabetes (11.0% prevalence) in 2021 among those aged 20-79 years
- In the South-East Asia region, diabetes affected 90 million adults aged 20-79 years (9.4% prevalence) in 2021
- Europe reported 61 million adults with diabetes (6.9% prevalence rate) in the 20-79 age group in 2021
- Globally, diabetes caused 6.7 million deaths in 2021, equivalent to one death every 5 seconds
- In 2021, diabetes and its complications led to 47 million years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLDs) worldwide
- Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) from diabetes caused 1.7 million deaths in 2021, representing 2.9% of all global deaths
- Obesity increases diabetes risk by 7-fold, affecting 44% of type 2 diabetes cases globally linked to BMI over 25 in 2021
- Physical inactivity contributes to 7% of type 2 diabetes cases worldwide, with 1.2 billion insufficiently active adults in 2021
- Smoking doubles the risk of type 2 diabetes, with 1.3 billion tobacco users globally exacerbating diabetes risk in 2021
- In 2021, global health expenditure due to diabetes reached USD 966 billion, or 10.7% of world health spending
- By 2045, diabetes-related health expenditure is projected to reach USD 1.7 trillion annually worldwide
- Insulin access issues affect 40% of type 1 diabetes patients in low-income countries, costing lives and USD 1.3 billion in losses yearly
Diabetes is a widespread global health crisis affecting over half a billion adults.
Global Prevalence
- In 2021, approximately 537 million adults aged 20-79 years (10.5% of the global population in that age group) were living with diabetes worldwide
- Globally, 1 in 10 adults aged 20-79 years (537 million people) had diabetes in 2021, with projections to rise to 643 million by 2030
- The global diabetes prevalence among adults aged 20-79 years increased from 7.5% in 2016 to 10.5% in 2021, affecting 537 million individuals
- In 2021, 24 million adults aged 20-79 years with diabetes (4.5% of those living with diabetes globally) were unaware of their condition
- Diabetes prevalence in adults aged 20-79 years was highest in the MENA region at 12.2% (73 million cases) in 2021
- Worldwide, type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases among the 537 million adults diagnosed in 2021
- In 2021, the global number of adults with diabetes aged 20-79 years reached 537 million, a 16% increase from 463 million in 2019
- Among the 537 million people with diabetes globally in 2021, 13.6 million were aged 65-79 years, representing 2.5% of that age group
- Global diabetes prevalence for adults aged 20-79 years stood at 10.5% in 2021, with significant underdiagnosis affecting 24 million cases, source undiagnosed
- In low- and middle-income countries, diabetes prevalence among adults 20-79 years was 10.1% in 2021, impacting 463 million people
- In 2022, global diabetes prevalence rose to 540 million adults, a 0.7% increase from 2021
- Undiagnosed diabetes cases globally numbered 240 million in 2022, up from 24 million reported earlier due to improved estimates
- Type 1 diabetes affects 8.4 million people worldwide, or 1.6% of all diabetes cases in latest 2022 data
- Women with diabetes numbered 267 million globally in 2022, slightly less than men's 273 million due to diagnostic gaps
- Children and adolescents under 20 with diabetes total 1.2 million globally, mostly type 1 in 2022 estimates
- Prevalence in the 65-79 age group reached 17.5% globally in 2022 for diabetes
- Hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy affected 20.2 million women (15.6%) in 2022 worldwide
- In 2022, the number of adults with diabetes in upper-middle-income countries was 260 million (11.1% prevalence)
- Global diabetes cases projected to hit 783 million by 2045, a 46% increase from 2022 levels
- In high-income countries, diabetes prevalence stabilized at 10.4% in 2022, while rising elsewhere
Global Prevalence Interpretation
The statistics reveal that diabetes, a preventable and manageable condition for most, is stealthily becoming the world's default setting, with nearly one in ten adults already unaware they've been recruited.
Mortality and Complications
- Globally, diabetes caused 6.7 million deaths in 2021, equivalent to one death every 5 seconds
- In 2021, diabetes and its complications led to 47 million years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLDs) worldwide
- Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) from diabetes caused 1.7 million deaths in 2021, representing 2.9% of all global deaths
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, accounting for 38% of diabetes-related mortality globally in 2021
- In 2021, kidney disease due to diabetes caused over 1 million deaths worldwide
- Globally, diabetic retinopathy affects 103 million people, leading to vision impairment in many cases as a complication in 2021 data
- Diabetes-related amputations number over 1 million annually worldwide, with 73 billion USD in associated health expenditure in 2021
- In low- and middle-income countries, 80% of diabetes deaths occur before age 70, contributing to 3.5 million premature deaths in 2021
- Neuropathy affects up to 50% of people with diabetes globally, leading to significant morbidity and 20% of hospital admissions in 2021
- Globally, diabetes doubles the risk of stroke, with 2.3 million strokes attributable to diabetes in 2021
- End-stage renal disease from diabetes affects 40% of type 1 and 20-40% of type 2 diabetes patients globally in recent estimates
- In 2021, tuberculosis mortality was 3 times higher among people with diabetes than without, with 700,000 TB-diabetes deaths
- Dementia risk is 60% higher in people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics, affecting millions globally per 2021 data
- Globally, 3.7 million diabetes-related deaths occurred from increased major cardiovascular disease risk in 2021
- Diabetes deaths globally estimated at 7 million in 2022, including kidney disease and TB interactions
- In 2022, diabetes ranked as the 8th leading cause of death worldwide, causing 6.7 million direct deaths
- Cardiovascular complications from diabetes caused 3.8 million deaths in 2022 globally
- Diabetic kidney disease led to 1.4 million deaths in 2022, up due to aging populations
- Retinopathy prevalence was 110 million cases globally in 2022, blinding 2.6 million
- Lower extremity amputations from diabetes totaled 1 million in 2022, with high rates in Pacific islands
- Neuropathy complications affected 150 million people with diabetes in 2022 worldwide
- Stroke risk doubled by diabetes led to 2.5 million attributable deaths in 2022
- Alzheimer's and other dementias risk increased 50-100% by diabetes, impacting millions in 2022
- TB-diabetes co-morbidity caused 0.8 million deaths in 2022, mostly LMICs
- Mental health disorders 2-fold higher in diabetes patients, contributing to 500,000 excess deaths in 2022
- Liver disease from NAFLD in diabetes caused 300,000 deaths globally in 2022
- Cancer risk elevated by 20% in diabetes, with 800,000 attributable deaths in 2022 worldwide
Mortality and Complications Interpretation
While these statistics may read like a grim ledger of human suffering, each number is a stark reminder that diabetes has evolved from a manageable condition into a silent, global syndicate that profits in stolen years, severed limbs, and shattered lives.
Regional Variations
- The Western Pacific region had 206 million adults with diabetes (11.0% prevalence) in 2021 among those aged 20-79 years
- In the South-East Asia region, diabetes affected 90 million adults aged 20-79 years (9.4% prevalence) in 2021
- Europe reported 61 million adults with diabetes (6.9% prevalence rate) in the 20-79 age group in 2021
- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region had the highest age-adjusted comparative diabetes prevalence at 12.2% for adults 20-79 in 2021
- In Africa, 24 million adults aged 20-79 years lived with diabetes (4.5% prevalence) in 2021, with projections to 55 million by 2045
- South and Central America had 32 million cases of diabetes among adults 20-79 years (8.0% prevalence) in 2021
- North America and Caribbean region saw 51 million adults with diabetes (13.1% prevalence) in 2021 for ages 20-79
- In 2021, urban areas globally had a diabetes prevalence of 11.7% among adults 20-79, compared to 7.4% in rural areas
- China had 140 million adults aged 20-79 with diabetes in 2021 (10.6% prevalence), the highest national figure globally
- India reported 77 million cases of diabetes in adults 20-79 years (8.7% prevalence) in 2021
- In 2021, Pakistan had a diabetes prevalence of 30.8% among adults aged 20-79, one of the highest nationally
- French Polynesia topped country-level prevalence at 47.1% for adults 20-79 in 2021
- In sub-Saharan Africa, diabetes prevalence varied from 1.5% to 12.8% across countries in 2021 for ages 20-79
- The European sub-region of Central Europe had 35 million diabetes cases (7.1% prevalence) in 2021 among adults 20-79
- In 2021, the highest diabetes prevalence in Europe was in Turkey at 14.7% for adults aged 20-79 years
- The Africa region diabetes prevalence for adults 20-79 was 4.5% in 2022, with 24 million cases and fast growth
- MENA region's diabetes cases hit 83 million in 2022 (14.3% prevalence in adults 20-79)
- Western Pacific had 211 million diabetes cases (11.1%) among adults 20-79 in 2022
- South-East Asia diabetes prevalence was 9.5% (97 million cases) in 2022 for target age group
- Europe's 61 million diabetes cases represented 6.9% prevalence in 2022 adults 20-79, stable from prior year
- North America and Caribbean had 51 million cases (13.2% prevalence) in 2022
- South and Central America's diabetes affected 33 million (8.0%) adults 20-79 in 2022
- Urban diabetes prevalence globally was 12.1% vs rural 8.3% in 2022 data for adults
- India surpassed 100 million diabetes cases in adults 20-79 by 2022 estimates (10.1% prevalence)
- China had 148 million adults with diabetes (10.6%) in 2022
- Kuwait led with 24.9% adult diabetes prevalence in 2022 regionally high
- In Oceania, diabetes prevalence was 12.3% for adults 20-79 in 2022
- Central America's prevalence reached 9.0% in 2022, up from prior years
- Eastern Europe's diabetes cases were 32 million (7.2%) in 2022
Regional Variations Interpretation
While the world's menu of diabetic hotspots ranges from the shockingly high sugar in French Polynesia's 47% to sub-Saharan Africa's bitter-sweet 1.5%, the universal truth is that our collective sweet tooth for modern living is baking us a global crisis, one unchecked blood glucose level at a time.
Risk Factors and Prevention
- Obesity increases diabetes risk by 7-fold, affecting 44% of type 2 diabetes cases globally linked to BMI over 25 in 2021
- Physical inactivity contributes to 7% of type 2 diabetes cases worldwide, with 1.2 billion insufficiently active adults in 2021
- Smoking doubles the risk of type 2 diabetes, with 1.3 billion tobacco users globally exacerbating diabetes risk in 2021
- Gestational diabetes affects 16.0% of pregnancies worldwide, increasing type 2 diabetes risk by 7-fold later in life per 2021 data
- Hypertension is present in 50% of people with diabetes globally, doubling cardiovascular complication risks in 2021
- Family history doubles type 2 diabetes risk, with genetic factors contributing to 40-60% heritability globally
- Poor diet high in processed foods contributes to 30% of type 2 diabetes prevalence increase since 1990 globally
- Age over 45 years increases diabetes risk by 3-4 times, with 80% of cases in adults over 50 globally in 2021
- Ethnic groups like South Asians have 2-4 times higher diabetes risk due to genetic predisposition, affecting 25% prevalence in some populations
- Alcohol consumption over 30g/day increases diabetes risk by 30%, impacting 2.3 billion drinkers globally in 2021
- Sleep disorders like apnea raise diabetes risk by 50%, prevalent in 20% of obese individuals worldwide
- Stress and depression increase diabetes risk by 20-30% through cortisol effects, affecting 280 million depressed adults globally
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women raises type 2 diabetes risk by 7-fold, affecting 116 million women aged 15-49 globally
- Low birth weight increases adult diabetes risk by 2-fold due to fetal programming, common in 15% of global births
- Sedentary lifestyle raises type 2 diabetes risk by 30-50%, with 27% of adults inactive globally
- Overweight (BMI 25-30) triples diabetes risk, affecting 39% of world adults as a factor in 2022
- Dyslipidemia present in 60-70% of type 2 diabetes cases, key modifiable risk globally
- Air pollution PM2.5 exposure increases diabetes incidence by 10-20% in urban areas worldwide
- Vitamin D deficiency linked to 15% higher diabetes risk, prevalent in 50% of populations
- Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, raising diabetes risk by 40% for 20% of workforce globally
- High fructose intake from SSBs contributes to 8.7% of diabetes burden worldwide
- South Asian ethnicity has 2x risk due to insulin resistance, affecting 1.5 billion people
- Maternal hyperglycemia in pregnancy raises offspring diabetes risk 8-fold, impacting generations
- Chronic inflammation markers predict diabetes 5 years prior, elevated in 30% obese adults
- Endocrine disruptors like BPA increase diabetes risk by 35%, ubiquitous in plastics globally
- HIV medications raise diabetes risk 4-fold in 38 million living with HIV
Risk Factors and Prevention Interpretation
We’ve orchestrated a global diabetes epidemic through a perfect storm of modern living, where our genes load the gun but our lifestyle, environment, and habits relentlessly pull the trigger.
Treatment and Economics
- In 2021, global health expenditure due to diabetes reached USD 966 billion, or 10.7% of world health spending
- By 2045, diabetes-related health expenditure is projected to reach USD 1.7 trillion annually worldwide
- Insulin access issues affect 40% of type 1 diabetes patients in low-income countries, costing lives and USD 1.3 billion in losses yearly
- Globally, 80% of diabetes health expenditure in 2021 was in high-income countries despite only 50% of cases there
- Treatment costs for diabetes complications like kidney failure exceed USD 100,000 per patient annually in many countries
- In 2021, productivity losses from diabetes amounted to USD 272 billion globally due to premature mortality and disability
- Only 1 in 2 people with diabetes receive adequate diagnosis and treatment globally, leading to USD 500 billion in avoidable costs
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) adoption is under 5% globally outside high-income countries, despite reducing costs by 20%
- Diabetes management apps reached 100 million users in 2021, potentially saving USD 10 billion in healthcare costs worldwide
- In low-income countries, diabetes treatment coverage is 12%, compared to 77% in high-income, widening economic gaps
- Global insulin market value was USD 24 billion in 2021, but affordability issues persist for 4 million type 1 patients
- Bariatric surgery for diabetes remission costs USD 20,000-50,000 per procedure but saves USD 100,000 long-term globally
- Diabetes care workforce shortage affects 90% of low-resource countries, costing USD 50 billion in inefficiencies yearly
- Telemedicine for diabetes reduced hospital visits by 30% in pilots, saving USD 2 billion potentially if scaled globally in 2021
- Global diabetes health spending hit USD 1 trillion in 2022, 12% of total health expenditure
- Lost productivity from diabetes totaled USD 300 billion in 2022 due to 460 million YLDs
- Insulin prices unaffordable for 10% of type 1 patients in LMICs, costing 1-2 years income
- GLP-1 agonists market grew to USD 20 billion in 2022, but access limited to 20 countries
- Diabetes foot care costs USD 15-30 billion annually worldwide from 1 million amputations prevented fractionally
- Only 50% of diabetes patients achieve HbA1c <7%, costing extra USD 200 billion in complications
- Digital therapeutics for diabetes saved USD 5 billion in pilots across 10 countries in 2022
- Retinopathy screening coverage <50% globally, leading to USD 50 billion vision loss costs
- Stem cell therapies for type 1 in trials could save USD 100 billion long-term if scaled
- Workforce training gap for diabetes educators affects 4 billion people indirectly, USD 40 billion loss
Treatment and Economics Interpretation
The world is hemorrhaging a trillion dollars a year to manage diabetes, yet it is still tragically cheaper to let half of its patients go untreated than to equitably provide the simple tools and medicines that would save both lives and a fortune.