Diabetes: Adult Prevalence, by country
CountryAdult population,
in %
IndiaIndia20
U.S.United States of America14
GermanyGermany13
NetherlandsNetherlands12
SpainSpain12
MexicoMexico12
BrazilBrazil12
AustraliaAustralia11
SwedenSweden10
U.K.United Kingdom10
ColombiaColombia9
ItalyItaly9
ChinaChina9
FranceFrance8
South AfricaSouth Africa8
  • Region: Worldwide
  • Time period: May 3 to 31, 2022
  • Published: Oct 2022

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 27, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Highest Prevalence of Diabetes

India leads with the highest adult diabetes prevalence rate at 20%, significantly outpacing other countries. This stark figure underscores the critical health challenge India faces in managing diabetes among its adult population.

Diabetes Prevalence in Developed Countries

Developed nations like the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands report high diabetes prevalence rates of 14%, 13%, and 12%, respectively. These figures reveal the widespread nature of diabetes across both affluent and developing countries, highlighting it as a global health issue.

European Nations' Diabetes Rates

European countries show a range of diabetes prevalence among adults, with Germany and the Netherlands at the higher end (13% and 12%) and France and Italy on the lower end (8% and 9%). The variation within Europe reflects differing public health challenges and lifestyle factors across the continent.

Consistency Across Multiple Countries

A group of countries, namely Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia, share a uniform diabetes prevalence rate of 12% to 11%. This consistency suggests similar public health challenges or lifestyle factors contributing to diabetes rates across diverse geographic and cultural landscapes.

Lowest Prevalence of Diabetes

France and South Africa have the lowest adult diabetes prevalence rates in the dataset at 8% each. These rates, while comparatively lower, still represent significant public health concerns for both countries in managing diabetes within their populations.

Diabetes Prevalence in Major Economies

Among the world's largest economies, the United States, China, and India report varied diabetes prevalence rates of 14%, 9%, and 20%, respectively. The significant disparity among these economic powerhouses underscores the complex interplay of factors such as diet, lifestyle, healthcare access, and public health policies in influencing diabetes prevalence.

Emerging Markets and Diabetes

Emerging markets like India, Brazil, and Mexico show high diabetes prevalence rates of 20%, 12%, and 12%, respectively. These figures highlight the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases in countries experiencing rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the highest diabetes prevalence?

India has the highest diabetes prevalence among adults at 20%.

What is the diabetes prevalence in the United States and Germany?

The United States and Germany have a diabetes prevalence of 14% and 13% respectively.

Terms and Definitions

Adult Diabetes, also commonly known as diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disease that results in high blood sugar. This occurs when the body falls short of producing enough insulin or when the body no longer responds effectively to insulin. It generally develops after the age of 20 and is often linked to lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, and obesity.

Prevalence in epidemiology is the proportion of a particular population found to be affected by a medical condition. In relation to adult diabetes, it denotes the fraction of a country's adult population that has been diagnosed with the disease at any given time.

Diabetes Type 1 is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar to enter cells and produce energy. It's commonly diagnosed in children and young adults but can occur at any age, thus also included in adult diabetes.

Diabetes Type 2 accounts for the majority of adult diabetes cases. It is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). The body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. It's associated with older age, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and family history.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows the cells in the body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food for energy or to store glucose for future use. Insulin stops the use of fat as an energy source by inhibiting the release of glucagon. Failure to produce insulin, or the body not using insulin effectively, results in diabetes.

Glucose is the main type of sugar in the blood and is the body's primary source of energy. Glucose comes from the food you eat, and is carried to the cells through the bloodstream. Insulin helps the cells use the glucose.

Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects pregnant women, typically during their second or third trimester. This type can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life, and thus, affecting the adult diabetes rate.

A risk factor is any attribute, characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury. In the context of adult diabetes, risk factors can include things like age (being over 45), family history of diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and having previously had gestational diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Therefore, having metabolic syndrome can increase the prevalence of adult diabetes.