Context
The rising burden of diabetes as a non-communicable disease has prompted global health agencies to project future trends, warning that without strong preventive action, diabetes will pose a major public health challenge by mid-century, particularly for middle-income and urbanising countries.
Important Data
Global diabetics (2024):
• About 500 million people.
Projected by 2050:
• About 900 million people in the age group of 20–79 years.
Share of population:
• 2024: 11.11%.
• 2050: 12.96%, equivalent to over 850 million people.
Urban–Rural distribution (2024):
• Urban: about 400 million.
• Rural: about 189 million.
Urban–Rural projection (2050):
• Urban: about 655 million.
• Rural: about 198 million.
Countries with highest diabetes burden:
• China: about 148 million, the highest.
• India: about 90 million, the second highest.
• United States: third.
• Pakistan: fourth.
2050 outlook:
• China and India remain the top two.
• Pakistan is projected to move to third place.
Source
• 11th International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas.
• Published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
• Coverage includes 210 countries and five territories.
