32 Must-Read Diabetes Statistics & Facts for 2024
February 26, 2021
Diabetes is a serious condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. Believe it or not, it is quite prevalent. As many as 30 million Americans are living with the disease. What’s more, diabetes statistics claim that the number of diabetes patients will rise to 700 million by 2045.
While statistics paint quite a gloomy picture, there is still hope as it is possible to manage the condition. Make sure to acquaint yourself with the data below so that you take over your health today.
Top 10 Diabetes Statistics for 2024
- The total number of diabetes patients will rise to 700 million people by 2045.
- Over 1.5 million deaths a year are caused directly by diabetes.
- China has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world (89.5 million people).
- Over 30 million people in the US have diabetes.
- Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death, according to stats on diabetes deaths per year in the US.
- In the US, around 84% of prediabetes instances go undiagnosed.
- Nearly 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
- Adults with diabetes are three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
- Diabetes is responsible for 2.6% of the cases of blindness worldwide.
- Analysis of 27,955 patients who died from COVID-19 showed a diabetes prevalence of 31.1%.
Astonishing Diabetes Facts
What do you know about this condition? Are you aware of its types? Is there a cure for diabetes? Don’t worry as you’ve come to the right place. We can answer your questions with the latest statistics and facts.
1. There are more than two types of diabetes, but only 2% of diabetes patients have other types.
(Diabetes UK)
It may come as a surprise as most people only heard of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, diabetes facts reveal that there are several other types, like neonatal diabetes, Wolfram syndrome, Alström syndrome, and steroid-induced diabetes, to name a few.
2. In the US, more than 25% of seniors have diabetes.
(TSSCV)
People of all ages can have diabetes. Nevertheless, statistics on diabetes confirm that this condition is prevalent in people aged 65 and older. In fact, as many as 25% of them have the disease. That makes up for more than 12 million senior citizens who are affected by diabetes.
3. Gestational diabetes can lead to both baby and mother developing diabetes later.
(CDC)
Diabetes during pregnancy is also commonly known as gestational diabetes. It is typically caused by other hormones produced during pregnancy that decrease the effectiveness of insulin. Gestational diabetes statistics break the news that when it occurs, both mother and baby are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes at some point.
4. If you have prediabetes, lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58%.
(CDC)
Prediabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, which in most cases can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. Thankfully, according to the Centers for Disease Control diabetes statistics, there is a way to avoid that. One could, for instance, enroll in a lifestyle change program. This type of program, offered via the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, is said to help lower one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%.
5. Most people who have diabetes are aged somewhere between 40 and 59.
(ESC)
Among some of the more interesting facts about diabetes is that most people who have it are middle-aged people, between 40 and 59. Even though the general assumption has been that this condition occurs later in life, gathered data states otherwise.
6. Diabetes patients bear 2.3 times higher expenses for the same medical issues.
(Research Gate)
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects one’s quality of life as well as one’s finances. Following that, regular medical expenses are much greater for people diagnosed with diabetes. In other words, people with diabetes bear 2.3 times higher expenditures than those without it.
7. Rapid urbanization and sedentary lifestyles drive the type 2 diabetes epidemic.
(Research Gate)
According to type 2 diabetes facts, the root causes for its epidemic stem from one’s environment. Namely, urbanization and increasingly sedentary lifestyles, along with poor eating habits and insufficient exercise, lead to this disease’s increasing occurrence.
8. There’s no cure for diabetes at the moment.
(Diabetes UK)
Diabetes data verifies that there is, unfortunately, no cure for diabetes as of now. However, the condition is highly manageable, and type 2 diabetes is also preventable through healthy lifestyle changes when detected early. That said, quitting smoking, lowering the consumption of unhealthy food, and exercising on a regular basis can all help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Stats on Diabetes Prevalence and Associated Costs
As you know, high costs come along with the condition, and it has been forecast that the expenditures will increase even more in the forthcoming years. Keep reading to learn more and stay up-to-date with the matter.
[visualizer id=”97053″]
9. In North America and the Caribbean, the average cost per person with diabetes was $6,824.
(Statista)
According to the diabetes statistics from 2019, the highest average costs per person were recorded in North America and the Caribbean. In comparison, the average cost is only $475.3 in the Middle East and North Africa and $92 in Southeast Asia.
10. Statistics about diabetes imply that the global prevalence of the disease almost doubled in 1980–2014.
(WHO)
Diabetes prevalence has increased in the last four decades. Namely, the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 18 and over has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. The most likely cause is the availability of unhealthy food and the increase of sedentary lifestyles and occupations.
11. The total number of diabetes patients will rise to 700 million people by 2045.
(DRACP)
With the increased prevalence of diabetes comes some new information. According to the not-so-fun facts about diabetes, by 2030, the number of diabetes patients will be around 578 million. Astoundingly, by 2045, the number will rise to 700 million.
12. In 2017, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the US amounted to $327.2 billion.
(Diabetes Care Journal)
According to the relevant US diabetes statistics, the costs associated with diagnosed diabetes amount to $327.2 billion. What’s important to remember is that undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes, and GDM, combined with the diagnosed diabetes, total $403.9 billion a year.
13. By 2045, the expenditures associated with diabetes will be over $776 billion worldwide.
(Springer Link)
Expenditures related to diabetes increase at a rapid pace. Following that, a diabetes facts sheet contains some sobering data. Namely, by 2045, global expenses associated with diabetes will amount to over $776 billion. Just a reminder that in 2017, the figure was $727 billion.
Global Stats on Diabetes
This section provides you with everything you need to know about the condition—how many people have it worldwide, in which parts of the world it is most prevalent, the number of deaths caused by it, and much more. Read on to catch up on the latest statistics.
[visualizer id=”97059″]
14. China has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world (89.5 million people).
(Nature)
Diabetes facts note that the country with the most diabetes cases is China, with 89.5 million people. Right behind China is India—67.8 million, the United States of America—30.7 million, Indonesia—21 million, and Mexico, with 13.1 million people with diabetes.
15. Around 463 million people around the world have diabetes.
(Statista)
Diabetes statistics worldwide demonstrate that it is a widespread condition. To put it another way, research proves that around 463 million people around the globe have this unfavorable condition, with the number continuing to rise.
16. Most diabetes-related deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries.
(WHO)
Diabetes death rate data uncovers that most deaths caused by the condition occur in low- and middle-income countries. For starters, these countries struggle with providing universal health care coverage. What’s more, the overall diabetes care systems in these countries aren’t efficient enough, leading to fewer people managing the condition.
17. Over 1.5 million deaths a year are caused directly by diabetes.
(Statista)
In recent years, the condition has become one of the leading causes of death. Diabetes statistics emphasize that in 2019, over 1.5 million deaths worldwide were caused by diabetes, and the most common cause is inadequate treatment and poor access to medication.
18. In 2019, diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death on a global scale.
(WHO)
According to diabetes statistics worldwide, in 2019, diabetes was the ninth most common cause of death. It was preceded by diarrhoeal diseases, Alzheimer’s, trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, neonatal conditions, lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, and ischemic heart disease.
19. The prevalence of diabetes is higher in urban areas.
(DRACP)
According to diabetes statistics worldwide from 2019, the prevalence of diabetes in urban areas was much higher than that of rural areas—10.8% and 7.2%, respectively. What’s more, it is higher in high-income countries (10.4%) than in low-income countries (4%).
Diabetes Statistics in America
A considerable number of people in the States have diabetes. However, not all of them are diagnosed with it. These diabetes statistics for the USA uncover everything you need to know about diabetes in the country, so don’t hesitate to continue reading.
20. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death, as for stats on diabetes deaths per year in the US.
(CDC)
We’ve mentioned earlier that diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in the world. When it comes to the US, it is the seventh leading cause of death, with over 80,000 death cases for which diabetes was the underlying cause. That said, it is underreported as only 35%–40% of people with diabetes who died had diabetes listed on their death certificate.
21. Over 88 million Americans have prediabetes.
(CDC)
More than one in three adult Americans have prediabetes. That’s 88 million people, based on the US diabetes statistics. Believe it or not, over 84% of those people are unaware of having it. Now, what is prediabetes? It is a condition characterized by increased blood sugar levels, and it is often followed by the actual development of type 2 diabetes.
22. Over 30 million people in the US had diabetes, following the crude estimates from 2018.
(CDC)
Data from 2018 reveals that as many as 34.2 million people of all ages had some form of diabetes. In other words, the percentage of Americans with diabetes was 10.5%. We’d love to note that this number includes both type 1 and type 2, as well as every other variant of diabetes, with the exclusion of prediabetes.
23. Diabetes statistics from 2020 show that around 1.6 million Americans have type 1 diabetes.
(Single Care)
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common ones, with type 1 being less prevalent. Around 1.6 million US citizens have type 1 diabetes, type 1 diabetes statistics remark. Moreover, 187,000 of them are children and adolescents.
24. Black people have a 13.2% higher risk of diabetes.
(Healthline)
Type 2 diabetes is generally more prevalent for Black people, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans, type 2 diabetes statistics uncover. Compared to non-Hispanic White adults, the risk of diabetes is 13.2% higher for Black people, 12.8% higher for Hispanics, and 9% higher for Asian Americans.
25. More than 200,000 Americans under 20 have diabetes.
(DRIF)
In the US, the prevalence of diabetes has increased at an alarming rate, affecting people of diverse ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds. Contrary to popular belief, this condition can occur in younger people, too. Based on United States diabetes statistics from 2018, diabetes was diagnosed in 210,000 children and adolescents younger than 20.
26. In the US, over 7.2 million people who have diabetes go undiagnosed (23.8%).
(Choose PT)
Many people living with diabetes are left undiagnosed in the United States. Following that, diabetes statistics in America are pretty straightforward—about 7.2 million or almost 23.8% of people who have diabetes in the US don’t even know they have it, putting them at greater risk for additional health complications.
Diabetes and Your Health
Diabetes often has links to other conditions you might have. Following that, educating oneself about the possible risks and how to reduce them is of utmost importance. Hopefully, the stats below will encourage you to take full control of your well-being starting today!
27. Nearly 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
(Vitagene) (CDC)
According to obesity and diabetes statistics, obesity is one of the main predictors of type 2 diabetes since almost 90% of people who have it are overweight or obese. Moreover, out of all adults diagnosed with diabetes, 15% were smokers, and 38% were physically inactive. This data has been provided by the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report from 2020.
All things considered, we would love to emphasize yet again the importance of leading a healthy life to either prevent or manage diabetes. You can start by adding more exercise to your regimen or trying some of the best weight loss pills, provided that your healthcare provider deems it necessary.
28. Adults who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
(CDC)
Those with diabetes are also far more susceptible to having a heart attack or stroke. In other words, stats of diabetes affirm that adults who have the condition are two to three times more prone to heart disease and stroke. That happens because, over the years, high blood sugar may damage the heart’s blood vessels and block the blood vessels that lead to the brain, thus—causing a stroke.
29. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney failure.
(Kidney)
Diabetes data indicates that this condition is one of the two leading causes of kidney failure, accompanied by high blood pressure. That said, if patients manage these two conditions with treatment, they can prevent or postpone kidney disease. For instance, if people with diabetes control their blood sugar, it won’t come to any further complications.
30. Diabetes is responsible for 2.6% of the cases of blindness worldwide.
(WHO)
Though it may seem unlikely, diabetes can cause blindness. Statistics of diabetes affirm that the disease is responsible for 2.6% of the total instances of blindness. In a nutshell, what causes diabetic retinopathy is long-term accumulated damage to the retina’s small blood vessels. That’s why you might want to consult your health provider about the possibility of taking some of the best eye vitamins.
31. More than 50% of women who have polycystic ovary syndrome also have diabetes.
(CDC)
Did you know that there are links between polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes? According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes statistics reveal that more than 50% of women with this condition develop type 2 diabetes by the time they turn 40.
32. Analysis of 27,955 patients who died from COVID-19 showed a diabetes prevalence of 31.1%.
(The Lancet)
Diabetes statistics for 2020 also point out that having diabetes increases the risk of severe COVID-19. What could worsen the outcomes is the poor glycemic control at the hospital admission and during the stay.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a complicated health condition. That said, with proper treatment, you can minimize how the disease affects your life. While the diabetes statistics above are undoubtedly sobering, they’re far from hopeless. Our team believes that you are taking much-necessary steps towards gaining control over your health by acquainting yourself with these stats.
FAQs
What is the number 1 cause of diabetes?
There are many causes for diabetes, and among them, inactive lifestyle and obesity are proven to be the most common ones, especially for type 2 diabetes, type 2 diabetes statistics worldwide remark. As a matter of fact, they account for 90%–95% of all diabetes cases in the US.
What percentage of the population has diabetes?
Globally, about 9.3% of the adult population has diabetes. Seeing that, many organizations spread awareness about this health issue. These include American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and International Diabetes Federation.
What country has the highest rate of diabetes?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, China is the country with the most diabetes cases in the world. Given that, diabetes and high blood pressure are also among the leading causes of death in the country. It has also been established that each diabetes patient in China spends around $2,850 for treatment a year.
What percentage of diabetes patients have type 2?
Type 2 diabetes is much more common compared to type 1 (and other types). The causes of type 2 diabetes are mostly lifestyle-related. That means that it’s much easier to prevent, but it’s also much more prevalent. Between 90%–95% of all diabetes patients in the US have type 2.
What are the current statistics on diabetes in America?
According to stats on diabetes demographics, this condition affects one in ten US citizens. It is most prevalent (14.7%) among Alaska Natives and American Indians. Another interesting statistic is that 7.5% of those diagnosed with diabetes have more than a high school education, 9.7% have a high school education, and 13.3%—less than a high school education.
How many Americans have diabetes?
Over 30 million people in America live with diabetes. Another critical point is that 26.8 million of them, 10.2% of the population, have been diagnosed with diabetes. What’s more, around 7.3 million people have diabetes but are unaware of it and haven’t been diagnosed.
How many people die from diabetes?
The World Health Organization reports that globally, around 1.5 million deaths occur every year due to diabetes. As for the US, diabetes statistics reveal that 79,535 deaths are caused by the disease every year. Diabetes belongs to the top ten leading causes of death, preceded by heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among others.
List of Sources:
About the Author
Related Posts
Related Posts
