The global number of adults living with diabetes has now exceeded 800 million, marking a dramatic increase of more than four times since 1990, according to a new report published in The Lancet on World Diabetes Day.
The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the alarming rise of diabetes worldwide and calls for urgent action to address treatment gaps, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The report reveals that diabetes prevalence among adults has doubled from 7% in 1990 to 14% in 2022. The increase is largely attributed to rising obesity rates, unhealthy food marketing, sedentary lifestyles, and economic challenges. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that these factors have contributed to the growing diabetes epidemic and stressed the need for immediate global efforts to promote healthy diets, physical activity, and improved health systems.
Despite the rise in diabetes cases, treatment coverage remains a significant challenge. The report found that 59% of adults with diabetes—approximately 450 million people—were not receiving necessary treatment in 2022, with 90% of these untreated cases located in LMICs.
Regions such as South-East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa face the highest diabetes prevalence rates, with many countries in these areas also experiencing the lowest access to treatment. Less than 40% of adults in these regions receive appropriate glucose-lowering medications.
In response to the global crisis, WHO is intensifying its efforts with a new monitoring framework aimed at improving prevention, care, and treatment. This initiative builds on the Global Diabetes Compact, launched in 2021, which seeks to ensure equitable access to quality care and prevent type 2 diabetes linked to lifestyle factors.
The upcoming 2025 UN High-level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases will serve as a critical platform for world leaders to address the root causes of diabetes and work towards global solutions to combat its rise. The study, based on data from over 140 million individuals across 1,000 studies, offers a comprehensive view of the diabetes epidemic and the urgent need for targeted interventions.
