John Elflein
Research expert covering health and health care
Diabetes - Statistics & Facts
In 2021, diabetes mellitus caused an estimated 1.62 million deaths worldwide, making it the eighth leading cause of death. Furthermore, it is estimated that 537 million people are currently living with diabetes around the world, with this number projected to rise to some 783 million by the year 2045. Diabetes describes a group of metabolic diseases which cause high blood sugar levels. There are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. However, the majority of diabetes cases are type 2, with an estimated 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases in the United States type 2. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight, being physically inactive, being 45 and older, and having prediabetes.
Which countries have the highest prevalence of diabetes?
Interestingly, the countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes can be found primarily on islands in the Pacific. For example, on the Marshall Islands around a quarter of all adults have diabetes. In comparison, diabetes prevalence in OECD countries remains much lower. However, the United States reports figures significantly above average for OECD countries with a prevalence of almost 14 percent. Over 24 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes, with the real number of people living with the disease estimated to be even higher. In the United States, a disproportionately large number of people in the Southern states suffer from diabetes.Expenditure and market
Diabetes not only contributes to a substantial lose of life, but also has a heavy economic burden. Worldwide, health care expenditure due to diabetes was estimated at almost 966 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The countries that spend the highest amount per diabetes patient are the United States, Switzerland, and Norway. In 2021, the United States spent around 11,779 U.S. dollars per patient with diabetes. Thus, diabetes treatment is also a huge pharmaceutical submarket. Some of the leading companies in this market include Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. In 2023, Lantus, a long-lasting insulin to treat diabetes, was Sanofi's second best-selling pharmaceutical product, generating around 1.4 billion euros in revenue.The future of diabetes
The prevalence of diabetes is forecast to increase in every region of the world over the next couple decades, with the largest increases expected in Africa and the Middle East. By 2045, China and India are predicted to have the highest number of diabetics worldwide, with a combined 299 million people with the disease. Individual choices such as exercising and eating a healthy diet can prevent developing diabetes, so a large part of the responsibility for decreasing the burden of this disease lies among individuals. However, the prevalence of obesity is expected to increase worldwide, highlighting the challenges in combating not only diabetes, but the various other health conditions associated with being overweight and obese.
