Global Diabetes Surge: Over 11% of Adults Affected in 2024

A study from The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reveals that in 2024, 11% of the global adult population, approximately 589 million people, were living with diabetes. The largest impacted nations are China, India, and the US. Projections suggest a rise to 853 million cases by 2050, primarily in low and middle-income countries.


Devdiscourse News Desk | New Delhi | Updated: 16-01-2026 14:32 IST | Created: 16-01-2026 14:32 IST
Global Diabetes Surge: Over 11% of Adults Affected in 2024
This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only.
  • Country:
  • India

A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology highlights a significant global health challenge: over 11% of adults were living with diabetes in 2024. The report ranks China, India, and the United States as the top three affected countries, with India accounting for 90 million cases.

Compiled by researchers from the International Diabetes Federation and other institutions, the report underscores a troubling trend. It predicts that diabetes will affect nearly 13% of the adult population by 2050, largely driven by growth in low and middle-income countries, such as Pakistan, which may surpass the U.S. cases by mid-century.

The study stresses the need for enhanced data collection, particularly in resource-limited settings, and calls for tailored strategies to curb the epidemic's continued unchecked progression across different global regions and demographics.

Give Feedback