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Introduction
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges in the world. Once considered mainly a disease of older adults, diabetes is now increasingly affecting people in middle age and even younger age groups. The prevalence of diabetes worldwide and in India has increased substantially over the past few decades, creating an important public health challenge.
Diabetes occurs when blood glucose, or blood sugar, remains higher than normal because the body does not produce enough insulin, does not use insulin effectively, or both. If diabetes is not detected and controlled, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Understanding how common diabetes has become is important because many people may have diabetes without knowing it.
What Is the Prevalence of Diabetes?
The term prevalence of diabetes refers to the proportion of people in a population who are living with diabetes at a particular time or during a specified period.
Different studies may report different figures because they use different age groups, diagnostic methods, populations and years of data. Therefore, diabetes statistics should always be interpreted in their proper context.
For global comparisons, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas is one of the major sources of diabetes estimates.
Prevalence of Diabetes Worldwide
According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition, published in 2025, an estimated 589 million adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes in 2024. This represents approximately 11.1% of adults in this age group worldwide, or about 1 in every 9 adults.
The global burden is expected to increase further. The IDF projects that the number of adults aged 20–79 years living with diabetes could reach approximately 853 million by 2050.
The increase is not simply because more people are being diagnosed. Population growth, ageing, urbanisation, reduced physical activity, unhealthy dietary patterns and increasing obesity all contribute to the growing burden of type 2 diabetes.
The World Health Organization (WHO), using a different age group and methodology, reported that approximately 830 million people were living with diabetes in 2022. WHO also reported that the prevalence among adults aged 18 years and older increased from about 7% in 1990 to 14% in 2022.
The difference between the WHO and IDF figures should not be interpreted as a contradiction. The estimates cover different years, age groups and methodologies.
Prevalence of Diabetes in India
India has one of the largest diabetes populations in the world.
According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas 2025, approximately 89.8 million adults aged 20–79 years in India were living with diabetes in 2024. The estimated age-standardised prevalence was approximately 10.5%. India therefore accounts for a substantial proportion of the world’s diabetes burden.
The IDF estimates that the number of adults with diabetes in India could increase to approximately 156.7 million by 2050 if current demographic and epidemiological trends continue.
However, another important source of information is the large ICMR-INDIAB national study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology in 2023.
The study included more than 113,000 participants from urban and rural areas across 31 states, union territories and the National Capital Territory of India. It estimated an overall diabetes prevalence of 11.4% among adults aged 20 years and older.
The study also estimated that around 101 million people in India had diabetes, while approximately 136 million had prediabetes based on its 2021 population projections.
These figures demonstrate the enormous scale of the diabetes problem in India.
Urban and Rural Differences in India
Diabetes is no longer restricted to cities.
The ICMR-INDIAB study found an important urban-rural difference. Diabetes prevalence was approximately 16.4% in urban areas compared with 8.9% in rural areas in the study population.
However, the increasing prevalence of diabetes in rural India is an important concern. Changes in lifestyle, reduced physical activity, dietary changes and increasing access to processed foods may contribute to the changing pattern.
India is a large and diverse country, and diabetes prevalence also varies considerably between states and regions. The ICMR-INDIAB study reported substantial differences between states, demonstrating that a single national percentage cannot describe the diabetes situation everywhere in India.
Why Is Diabetes Increasing?
Several factors are contributing to the increasing prevalence of diabetes.
1. Sedentary lifestyle
Modern life often involves less physical activity. Long periods of sitting, increased screen time and reduced walking can contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance.
2. Unhealthy dietary patterns
Frequent consumption of highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugary beverages and excessive calories can increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
3. Overweight and obesity
Excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, is strongly associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
4. Ageing population
The risk of type 2 diabetes generally increases with age. As life expectancy increases, the number of people at risk also increases.
5. Family history
People with a family history of diabetes may have a higher risk of developing the disease.
6. Urbanisation
Urbanisation can change food habits, physical activity patterns, transportation habits and working environments, potentially increasing diabetes risk.
Many People May Not Know They Have Diabetes
One of the major challenges in controlling diabetes is that the disease can remain unnoticed for years.
According to the IDF, an estimated 43% of adults living with diabetes globally in 2024 were undiagnosed, representing approximately 252 million people.
This is particularly important because high blood glucose can cause damage before a person develops obvious symptoms.
Some people may experience increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, tiredness or blurred vision. However, many people have few or no symptoms.
Therefore, screening and early detection are important, particularly for people with risk factors.
Why Early Detection Matters
Early detection gives people a chance to take appropriate steps before complications develop.
A person diagnosed with diabetes may benefit from lifestyle modification, appropriate medical treatment, regular monitoring and screening for complications. WHO notes that healthy eating, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
People at increased risk should discuss appropriate blood glucose testing with their healthcare professional.
Can the Rising Prevalence of Diabetes Be Controlled?
The growing prevalence of diabetes worldwide and in India is a serious challenge, but diabetes is not simply a matter of statistics.
Many cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through healthy lifestyle practices and early identification of risk factors.
Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding tobacco, and getting appropriate health screenings are key components of diabetes prevention.
For people who already have diabetes, good blood glucose control and regular medical care can reduce the risk of many long-term complications.
Conclusion
The prevalence of diabetes worldwide and in India has reached a level that deserves greater public awareness and action.
The latest IDF estimates indicate that about 589 million adults aged 20–79 years worldwide were living with diabetes in 2024, while approximately 89.8 million adults in India were living with diabetes. The ICMR-INDIAB study further highlights India’s substantial burden, estimating an overall adult diabetes prevalence of 11.4% and around 101 million people with diabetes based on its 2021 projections.
These numbers remind us that diabetes is not only a medical problem—it is also an important public health issue.
Awareness, early detection, healthy living and proper treatment can make a meaningful difference.
If you are at risk of diabetes, do not wait for symptoms. Talk to your healthcare professional about appropriate screening and take steps today to protect your health.
References
- International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th Edition, 2025.
- World Health Organization. Diabetes Fact Sheet. 2024.
- Anjana RM, et al. Metabolic non-communicable disease health report of India: the ICMR-INDIAB national cross-sectional study. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2023.