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The global number of people living with diabetes rose from 200 million (1990) to 830 million (2022), with faster growth in low- and middle-income countries.
Diabetes prevalence and global burden have risen sharply over recent decades. The number of people living with diabetes increased from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, and prevalence is growing faster in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. In 2022, 14% of adults aged 18 years and older were living with diabetes (up from 7% in 1990), and more than half (59%) of adults aged 30 years and over with diabetes were not taking medication; treatment coverage was lowest in low- and middle-income settings. The health impact is substantial and includes both direct and indirect mortality and major complications. In 2021, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths, with 47% of diabetes deaths occurring before age 70. Diabetes also contributed to an additional 530,000 deaths from kidney disease caused by diabetes, and high blood glucose accounted for around 11% of cardiovascular deaths. Since 2000, diabetes mortality rates have been increasing, even as overall mortality from other major noncommunicable diseases has declined globally. Diabetes leads to severe outcomes such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. Prevention and control—especially for type 2 diabetes—are possible through healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight, avoiding tobacco, early detection, regular screening, and appropriate treatment (including medication when needed). WHO supports surveillance, prevention, and control efforts, with initiatives such as the Global Diabetes Compact and global coverage targets for 2030.
The global number of people living with diabetes rose from 200 million (1990) to 830 million (2022), with faster growth in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2022, more than half of adults with diabetes were not taking medication, and diabetes treatment coverage was lowest in low- and middle-income countries.
Diabetes causes major morbidity and mortality: in 2021 it directly caused 1.6 million deaths, contributed to 530,000 kidney-disease deaths, and high blood glucose accounted for about 11% of cardiovascular deaths.
Diabetes complications include blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and lower limb amputation, but prevention and delayed onset are achievable—especially for type 2 diabetes—through lifestyle measures and early screening/treatment.
Hyperglycaemia is raised blood glucose (blood sugar) that results from uncontrolled diabetes and over time damages nerves and blood vessels.
Diabetes treatment coverage refers to the extent to which people with diabetes receive medications and care needed to manage blood glucose and prevent complications.
High blood glucose is an elevated level of blood sugar that increases the risk of cardiovascular deaths and other complications.
The Global Diabetes Compact is a WHO-led global initiative launched in 2021 to improve diabetes prevention and care, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.
IGT is an intermediate condition between normal glucose regulation and diabetes, associated with a high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
IFG is an intermediate condition detected by fasting blood glucose tests that increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
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