Global diabetes cases have surged fourfold since 1990, now affecting over 800 million adults worldwide, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report released today, World Diabetes Day.
The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), is the first comprehensive analysis of global trends in diabetes prevalence and treatment, drawing on data from 140 million adults aged 18 and older.
The findings reveal that diabetes rates doubled from 7% to 14% between 1990 and 2022. Alarmingly, 450 million adults, or 60% of those affected, remain untreated, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) accounting for 90% of untreated cases.
“We have seen an alarming rise in diabetes over the past three decades,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He attributed the increase to growing obesity rates, unhealthy food marketing, physical inactivity, and economic challenges.
Regions such as Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean report the highest prevalence, affecting 20% of adults, with Africa and these regions also having the lowest treatment rates.
Tonga has a high prevalence of diabetes, with an estimated 18% of the adult population living with the condition, with 69% of the adult population being obese. This is among the highest rates in the world.
In response, WHO is launching a global monitoring framework to track key indicators like glycaemic control and medicine access. This initiative complements the Global Diabetes Compact, aiming to achieve 80% glycaemic control in diagnosed patients by 2030.
“Countries must urgently enact policies to combat this epidemic,” Tedros urged.