Diabetes prevalence among adults in Europe in 2021, by country

Spain had the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe among their adult population with 14.8 percent living with diabetes, as of 2021, Portugal followed with the second highest share at 13 percent. Conversely, Ireland was the country with the lowest prevalence of diabetes in Europe at four percent.

Diabetes-related deaths

The highest number of diabetes-related deaths in Europe, at almost 173 thousand, was recorded Italy in 2021. Germany and UK followed, with roughly 151.5 and 140.8 thousand deaths, respectively.

Diabetes risk factors in Europe

One of the major contributing factors to type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese. As of 2020, Greece had the highest share of overweight population across Europe, with 40.8 percent. The lack of sports and exercise is also another risk factor. As of 2022 Portugal was the European country with the highest share of people never exercising or engaging in sports, with 73 percent.