A major study recently published in The Lancet shows that global adult diabetes rates have doubled in the past 30 years, affecting more than 800 million people worldwide. This research is the first global comprehensive analysis of diabetes rates and treatments. It reveals a sharp increase in the prevalence of diabetes, especially in low- and middle-income areas.

Scientists from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) conducted this study in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). They analyzed data from more than 140 million adults aged 18 and over, collected from more than 1,000 studies worldwide.

The findings show that adult diabetes rates are increasing from approximately 7% in 1990 to 14% in 2022. Experts attribute this increase primarily to lifestyle changes, high obesity rates and widespread health disparities.

The study also highlights increasing global health inequalities. Researchers found that more than half of all diabetes cases were concentrated in just six countries.

India currently has the largest number of people with diabetes, representing more than a quarter of global cases (about 212 million people).

China ranks second with 148 million cases, followed by the USA with 42 million cases and Pakistan with 36 million cases. Indonesia and Brazil together added another 47 million cases.

In some regions, such as the Pacific islands, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, diabetes affects more than 25% of men and women. Among high-income Western countries, the United States (12.5%) and the United Kingdom (8.8%) have the highest rates of diabetes.

In contrast, diabetes rates among women in countries such as France, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden were as low as 2-4% in 2022. For men, it was lower by 3-5% in Denmark, France, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Spain and Rwanda.

While many high-income countries have improved diabetes treatment rates (more than 55% of adults receiving care in 2022), progress has lagged in many low- and middle-income countries. As a result, more than half of adults with diabetes aged 30 and over (445 million people (59%)) were not receiving treatment in 2022.

According to the research, the incidence of Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition in which the body destroys insulin-producing cells, is less common. In contrast, type 2 diabetes, a preventable metabolic disorder that inhibits the body’s ability to use insulin, is diagnosed in more than 95% of diabetes cases.

Although genetics affects the risk of type 2 diabetes, other important factors include obesity, unhealthy diet and insufficient physical activity.

(With input from institutions)