A new global study has revealed that the number of people living with diabetes has more than doubled over the past three decades, reaching an alarming total of more than 800 million people worldwide.

The groundbreaking research, published in The Lancet, shows that the prevalence of diabetes among adults has surged from around 7% in 1990 to nearly 14% in 2022.

The largest increase has occurred in low and middle-income countries, underscoring rising health disparities globally.

The study, which is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of diabetes rates and treatment across all countries, analyzed data from more than 140 million people aged 18 and older across more than 1,000 studies worldwide.

Researchers found that more than half of global diabetes cases were concentrated in just four countries: India (212 million cases), China (148 million), the United States (42 million), and Pakistan (36 million).

In some regions, such as the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East and North Africa, more than a quarter of the population is affected by diabetes.

In contrast, countries like France, Denmark, and Sweden have the lowest diabetes rates, ranging from just 2% to 5% of the population.

The study links the rise in diabetes to factors like increasing obesity rates and an aging population.

Global Diabetes Rates Double in 30 Years, Study Shows

Dr. Ranjit Mohan Anjana, president of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, stressed the importance of prevention through diet and exercise, especially in low-income countries.

Despite the availability of effective treatments, nearly 60% of people with diabetes, especially in low and middle-income countries, are not receiving proper care.

This is contributing to complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent action, including policies to promote healthy eating, exercise, and improved access to diabetes care.