Diabetes UK says 4.4 million people in the UK are living with diabetes in 2023, including those who are yet to be diagnosed, and the care gaps are just as striking as the scale. From 10,000 diabetes-related amputations each year to only 32% of people receiving all 9 key care processes, the charity’s latest findings connect prevention, treatment and outcomes in a way that is hard to ignore. Here’s what Diabetes UK’s statistics reveal across support, policy change and research funding.
Key Takeaways
- Diabetes UK has 200,000 supporters and members across the UK
- The charity raised £82 million in voluntary income in 2022-2023
- Diabetes UK campaigns influenced 20 government policy changes since 2020
- Diabetes UK reports diabetes causes 20-30% of kidney failures in the UK annually
- According to Diabetes UK, 7% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers each year
- Diabetes UK states that cardiovascular disease is twice as common in people with diabetes
- Diabetes UK reports that in 2023, approximately 4.4 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases
- According to Diabetes UK's 2022 State of the Nation report, 90% of people with diabetes in the UK have type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes UK data shows that 10% of the UK population aged over 40 has diabetes, based on 2023 estimates
- Diabetes UK has invested £500 million in research since 1934
- In 2022-2023, Diabetes UK funded 150 research projects worth £25 million
- Diabetes UK's research has led to 10 new treatments approved for NHS use
- Diabetes UK recommends 9 key checks including HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, feet, kidneys, weight, smoking, urine albumin, eye screening
- 32% of people with diabetes receive all 9 care processes per Diabetes UK's 2022 audit
- Diabetes UK advises keeping HbA1c below 48mmol/mol for most adults with type 2
Diabetes UK supports millions, raises funds, and helps prevent serious complications through research and care.
Related reading
01 · Category
Advocacy And Support27 stats
01
Diabetes UK has 200,000 supporters and members across the UK
02
The charity raised £82 million in voluntary income in 2022-2023
03
Diabetes UK campaigns influenced 20 government policy changes since 2020
04
Over 400 local support groups operated by Diabetes UK volunteers
05
Diabetes UK's Put Us In Sight campaign reached 2 million people online
06
The charity employs 500 staff across 10 UK offices
07
Diabetes UK lobbies for £1 billion extra NHS diabetes funding annually
08
50,000 people signed Diabetes UK's access to insulin petition in 2023
09
Awareness Day events attended by 100,000 yearly organised by Diabetes UK
10
Diabetes UK partners with 200 corporate sponsors for fundraising
11
The Walk for Diabetes UK event series raises £5 million biennially
12
Diabetes UK advocates for mandatory diabetes education in schools, reaching 10 million pupils
13
15,000 volunteers deliver Diabetes UK's community services
14
Big Collection fundraising totals £3 million from 5,000 shops yearly
15
Diabetes UK's Time to Do More manifesto signed by 50 MPs
16
Advocacy secured free prescriptions for all diabetes patients in Scotland
17
Diabetes UK media coverage reaches 50 million impressions annually
18
100,000 young people engaged via Your Diabetes campaign
19
Diabetes UK influences NICE guidelines on 20 occasions yearly
20
Legacy giving provides 30% of income, £25 million in 2023
21
Diabetes UK runs 50 parliamentary receptions for advocacy yearly
22
Children’s voices campaign gathered 10,000 stories for policy change
23
Diabetes UK secures £100 million for tech access in NHS long-term plan
24
20,000 Careline calls handled monthly by Diabetes UK advisors
25
Advocacy for ethnic minority screening increased uptake by 15%
26
Diabetes UK’s CEO addresses 100 conferences yearly on advocacy
27
Funded 200 advocacy projects in devolved nations since 2010
Interpretation
Advocacy And Support Interpretation
With 200,000 supporters backed by over 400 volunteer-run local support groups, Diabetes UK is pairing community help with powerful advocacy, reaching 2 million people online through Put Us In Sight and helping drive 20 government policy changes since 2020.
02 · Category
Complications And Risks30 stats
01
Diabetes UK reports diabetes causes 20-30% of kidney failures in the UK annually
02
According to Diabetes UK, 7% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers each year
03
Diabetes UK states that cardiovascular disease is twice as common in people with diabetes
04
Diabetes UK's data shows 10,000 diabetes-related amputations occur every year in the UK
05
People with diabetes are 5 times more likely to develop sight-threatening retinopathy per Diabetes UK
06
Diabetes UK highlights that 25-40% of type 2 diabetes cases lead to chronic kidney disease
07
Nerve damage affects 50% of people with long-standing diabetes according to Diabetes UK
08
Diabetes UK reports diabetes contributes to 6% of all UK deaths yearly
09
35,000 people with diabetes suffer a heart attack or stroke annually per Diabetes UK
10
Diabetes UK notes erectile dysfunction affects 50-70% of men with diabetes
11
High blood pressure occurs in 70% of people with diabetes per Diabetes UK data
12
Diabetes UK estimates 100 people per week lose sight due to diabetic macular oedema
13
20% of people with diabetes have poor blood glucose control leading to complications
14
Diabetes UK data reveals type 2 diabetes shortens life by up to 10 years on average
15
Diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalises 7,000 children yearly per Diabetes UK
16
Diabetes UK states 40% of dialysis patients have diabetes-related kidney failure
17
Peripheral arterial disease affects 20-30% of diabetes patients per Diabetes UK
18
Diabetes UK reports 1 in 3 people with diabetes experience depression
19
Severe hypoglycemia episodes number 235,000 annually in type 1 patients per Diabetes UK
20
Diabetes UK finds gum disease is twice as likely in people with diabetes
21
15% of people with type 1 diabetes develop coeliac disease per Diabetes UK
22
Diabetes UK notes skin conditions affect 30-70% of diabetes patients
23
Hearing loss is 2 times more common in diabetes per Diabetes UK research
24
Diabetes UK data shows 5,000 diabetes-related blindness cases yearly
25
Fatty liver disease occurs in 50% of type 2 diabetes cases per Diabetes UK
26
Diabetes UK estimates £10 billion annual NHS cost from diabetes complications
27
25% of people with diabetes have cholesterol levels above recommended per Diabetes UK
28
Diabetes UK reports type 1 diabetes increases dementia risk by 60%
29
Urinary incontinence affects 40% of women with diabetes per Diabetes UK
30
Diabetes UK data indicates 60% of foot ulcers lead to infection if untreated
Interpretation
Complications And Risks Interpretation
The complications and risks of diabetes are stark in the UK, with kidney failure accounting for 20 to 30% of cases each year and major outcomes like 10,000 diabetes related amputations annually and 7% developing foot ulcers every year.
03 · Category
Prevalence And Diagnosis30 stats
01
Diabetes UK reports that in 2023, approximately 4.4 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases
02
According to Diabetes UK's 2022 State of the Nation report, 90% of people with diabetes in the UK have type 2 diabetes
03
Diabetes UK data shows that 10% of the UK population aged over 40 has diabetes, based on 2023 estimates
04
In England alone, Diabetes UK notes 3.9 million diagnosed diabetes cases as of 2022
05
Diabetes UK's analysis indicates 537,000 people in the UK have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in 2023
06
Diabetes UK highlights that diabetes prevalence has doubled in the UK over the last 20 years, from 2.1 million in 2003
07
Among children under 18, Diabetes UK reports around 700 new type 1 diabetes diagnoses annually in the UK
08
Diabetes UK states that South Asian communities in the UK have a 6 times higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared to the white population
09
In Scotland, Diabetes UK data shows 5.5% prevalence rate for diagnosed diabetes in 2022
10
Diabetes UK estimates that by 2030, 5.5 million people in the UK will have diabetes
11
Diabetes UK's 2023 survey found 42,000 people waiting over 6 months for type 1 diagnosis confirmation
12
Black African and Black Caribbean groups face 3 times higher type 2 diabetes risk per Diabetes UK research
13
Diabetes UK reports 232,000 people aged 17-24 in the UK have diabetes
14
In Wales, prevalence stands at 6.1% according to Diabetes UK's 2022 figures
15
Diabetes UK notes 850,000 people over 75 live with diabetes in the UK
16
Northern Ireland has 107,000 diagnosed cases per Diabetes UK 2023 update
17
Diabetes UK data reveals 1 in 10 pregnant women in the UK develop gestational diabetes annually
18
Type 1 diabetes affects 400,000 people in the UK as per Diabetes UK's latest estimates
19
Diabetes UK projects a 47% increase in type 2 diabetes cases by 2040 without intervention
20
In deprived areas, diabetes prevalence is 1.5 times higher according to Diabetes UK analysis
21
Diabetes UK reports 12% of hospital inpatients have diabetes
22
Over 25,000 children and young people under 17 have diabetes in the UK per Diabetes UK
23
Diabetes UK's 2022 data shows 2.8 million type 2 cases in England
24
Chinese ethnic groups have twice the risk of type 2 diabetes per Diabetes UK
25
Diabetes UK estimates 1 in 17 people in the UK now has diabetes
26
Mixed ethnicity groups show 2.4 times higher risk per Diabetes UK studies
27
Diabetes UK notes 90,000 people with type 1 were diagnosed before age 30
28
Overall UK diabetes prevalence rate is 7.8% in 2023 per Diabetes UK
29
Diabetes UK data indicates 150,000 new diagnoses yearly in the UK
30
Diabetes UK finds that 37% of people with type 2 diabetes are under 65 years old
Interpretation
Prevalence And Diagnosis Interpretation
In 2023, about 4.4 million people in the UK live with diabetes with 537,000 of them undiagnosed, showing that prevalence has surged over the past 20 years from 2.1 million in 2003 and that diagnosis gaps remain a key issue.
More related reading
04 · Category
Research And Innovation29 stats
01
Diabetes UK has invested £500 million in research since 1934
02
In 2022-2023, Diabetes UK funded 150 research projects worth £25 million
03
Diabetes UK's research has led to 10 new treatments approved for NHS use
04
Over 1,000 researchers supported by Diabetes UK grants in the last decade
05
Diabetes UK-backed studies discovered 50 new genes linked to type 2 diabetes
06
The charity funds research at 40 UK universities and hospitals annually
07
Diabetes UK's Type 1 diabetes research portfolio totals £100 million invested
08
20 clinical trials for beta cell replacement supported by Diabetes UK
09
Diabetes UK research shows artificial pancreas reduces hypos by 90%
10
Prevention research by Diabetes UK demonstrates 58% risk reduction via lifestyle intervention
11
Diabetes UK awarded 50 PhD studentships in 2023 for diabetes research
12
Collaborative research with JDRF led to 15 joint projects on type 1 cure
13
Diabetes UK's data platform includes 2 million patient records for analysis
14
Islet transplant success rates improved to 80% via Diabetes UK funded techniques
15
30 vaccines in development for type 1 diabetes supported indirectly by Diabetes UK advocacy
16
Diabetes UK funds precision medicine projects targeting 100 genetic subtypes
17
Annual research conference attracts 1,500 delegates organised by Diabetes UK
18
Diabetes UK research output: 500 peer-reviewed papers yearly from funded projects
19
Investment in AI for glucose prediction models by Diabetes UK totals £5 million
20
Diabetes UK's Road to a Cure initiative raised £10 million for cure research
21
40% of Diabetes UK's research budget goes to complications prevention studies
22
Diabetes UK supports 25 innovation challenges for tech startups yearly
23
Breakthrough in GLP-1 drugs for remission validated by Diabetes UK trials
24
Diabetes UK funds epidemiology studies tracking 500,000 participants
25
15 new biomarkers for early detection identified via Diabetes UK grants
26
Diabetes UK's psychology research improves adherence by 30% in trials
27
Global partnerships with IDF yield 10 joint research outputs annually
28
Diabetes UK invests £2 million yearly in young researcher fellowships
29
Closed-loop tech now in 5 NHS sites due to Diabetes UK advocacy research
Interpretation
Research And Innovation Interpretation
With £500 million invested since 1934 and funding 150 research projects worth £25 million in 2022 to 2023, Diabetes UK is steadily driving Research and Innovation that has supported over 1,000 researchers in the last decade and helped deliver 10 new NHS-approved treatments.
05 · Category
Treatment And Care30 stats
01
Diabetes UK recommends 9 key checks including HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, feet, kidneys, weight, smoking, urine albumin, eye screening
02
32% of people with diabetes receive all 9 care processes per Diabetes UK's 2022 audit
03
Diabetes UK advises keeping HbA1c below 48mmol/mol for most adults with type 2
04
Over 1 million people use Diabetes UK's online community for support
05
Diabetes UK provides free blood glucose monitoring supplies to 50,000 members yearly
06
70% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes per Diabetes UK
07
Diabetes UK's helpline receives 20,000 calls monthly
08
Flash glucose monitoring is recommended for all type 1 patients by Diabetes UK
09
Diabetes UK reports 60% of type 1 adults use insulin pumps
10
Weight management programs help 40% achieve remission per Diabetes UK trials
11
Diabetes UK educates 100,000 healthcare professionals annually via training
12
90% of people on structured education report better control per Diabetes UK
13
Diabetes UK supplies 500,000 free cookbooks yearly for healthy eating
14
Continuous glucose monitoring access increased to 20,000 type 1 patients via advocacy
15
Diabetes UK notes 50% reduction in HbA1c with carbohydrate counting training
16
Peer support groups number 400 run by Diabetes UK volunteers
17
Diabetes UK's app has 300,000 downloads for logging and advice
18
75% of people following Diabetes UK's exercise advice meet activity guidelines
19
Diabetes UK provides emotional support to 40,000 via counselling referrals yearly
20
Insulin access for type 2 patients improved for 10,000 via Diabetes UK policy wins
21
Diabetes UK reports 85% satisfaction in care helpline users
22
Paediatric diabetes services benchmarked for 29,000 children by Diabetes UK
23
Diabetes UK's healthy weight week reaches 1 million online
24
65% of gestational diabetes cases managed with diet per Diabetes UK guidelines
25
Diabetes UK trains 5,000 new volunteers yearly for support roles
26
Hybrid closed-loop systems trialled for 1,500 type 1 patients via Diabetes UK funding
27
Diabetes UK advises blood pressure target below 140/80 for diabetes patients
28
Foot care education prevents 20% of ulcers per Diabetes UK programs
29
Diabetes UK funds 200 nursing posts for specialist diabetes care
30
Diabetes UK launched 10 new prevention programs in 2023 serving 50,000 at-risk individuals
Interpretation
Treatment And Care Interpretation
Diabetes UK’s treatment and care focus shows that while 9 key checks are recommended and only 32% of people receive all of them, setting clear targets like keeping HbA1c below 48 mmol/mol for most adults with type 2 remains crucial to improving outcomes.
report visual · Comparison
Diabetes UK impact: people supported vs advocacy reach
Diabetes UK combines large-scale community support with significant policy and outreach activity across the UK.
15,000 volunteers deliver Diabetes UK's community services15,000
Diabetes UK media coverage reaches 50 million impressions annually
50
Diabetes UK campaigns influenced 20 government policy changes since 2020
20
Diabetes UK's Put Us In Sight campaign reached 2 million people online
2
Reference
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APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Diabetes Uk Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diabetes-uk-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Diabetes Uk Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diabetes-uk-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Diabetes Uk Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diabetes-uk-statistics.
Sources & references
1 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level