Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people, and it occurs when your blood sugar, or glucose, becomes too high. Glucose is essential for energy, and while your body can produce some, it also comes from the food you eat.

Normally, insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move blood glucose into your cells where it’s used for energy. But with diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use it properly. This leaves glucose in your bloodstream instead of where it’s needed, leading to a range of health problems.

Diabetes is one of the most common and serious chronic diseases in the United States. It increases the risk factors for major cardiovascular diseases, stroke, blindness, chronic kidney disease, dental problems, and even amputations unrelated to injury. People of all ages, races, and ethnicities are affected by this condition.

Let’s take a closer look at the latest trends and statistics on diabetes to understand its impact on the health of Americans and people around the world.

Global Diabetes Statistics

Diabetes is one of the most significant global public health challenges, placing a global burden on both public health systems and socio-economic development. While the incidence of diabetes has begun to decline in some countries, its estimated prevalence has continued to rise in most other developed and developing nations in recent decades.

• The total number is expected to increase to 643 million (11.3%) by 2030 and 783 million (12.2%) by 2045. (1)
• In 2021, it was estimated that 537 million adults aged 20–79 were living with diabetes, making up 10.5% of the global population in this age group. (1)
• A survey found that 7 in 10 respondents were diagnosed with diabetes due to a diabetes-related complication. (1)
• Approximately 94% of respondents experienced at least one diabetes-related complication. (1)

• An estimated 240 million people worldwide have undiagnosed diabetes, meaning nearly one in two adults with the condition are unaware they have it. (1)
• Nearly 90% of people with undiagnosed diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries. In Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, over half of the people with diabetes are undiagnosed. (1)
• In 2021, China accounted for 1 in 4 of all adults living with diabetes worldwide. Due in part to its large population, China has the highest number of annual diabetes-related deaths, with around 1.4 million people affected. (1)
• In 2021, more people with diabetes lived in urban areas (360 million) compared to rural areas (176.6 million). The prevalence of diabetes was higher in urban areas at 12.1%, compared to 8.3% in rural areas. (1)

How Many People Have Diabetes in the US

Diabetes affects millions across the United States, making it one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the country. With rates steadily rising, understanding the scope of diabetes is crucial for public health awareness and prevention efforts.

• As of 2022, an estimated 24.4 million people in the United States had been diagnosed with diabetes. The number of cases has been rising in recent years, making diabetes a significant health concern. It is now the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S., responsible for three percent of all deaths. (2)
• In 2021, approximately 53 million men and 44 million women in the United States were estimated to have prediabetes. A person is considered to have prediabetes when their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. (2)
• As of 2022, about 8.4 percent of adults in the United States had been diagnosed with diabetes, up from six percent in 2000. Diabetes is significantly more common among older adults, with nearly a quarter of those aged 65 and older diagnosed, compared to only three percent of those aged 18 to 44. (2)

Total Diabetes Prevalence Statistics

• The overall prevalence of total diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) among adults is 13.2%. (3)
• Of this, 10.1% of adults have diagnosed diabetes. (3)
• 3.1% of adults have undiagnosed diabetes. (3)
• Women have a slightly lower total diabetes prevalence of 12.4%. Among them, 8.8% have diagnosed diabetes, and 3.6% have undiagnosed diabetes. (3)
  

Diabetes Across Different Racial and Ethnic Groups

Globally, Hispanic and Asian populations have a higher prevalence of diabetes compared to European and African populations, both in their native countries and among their diaspora. These differences may arise from a combination of factors, including genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle, and environmental influences.

• Diabetes prevalence is highest among American Indian/Alaskan Native adults (13.6%), followed by non-Hispanic Black adults (12.1%) across genders. (3)

Diabetes Prevalence by Income Level

Diabetes disproportionately impacts low-income populations, with several factors contributing to these disparities. Differences in age, race/ethnicity, financial resources, access to healthcare, availability of healthy foods, places to exercise, and health-related behaviors like smoking all play a role in the higher burden of diabetes among lower-income groups.

• Adults with a family income over 500% of the federal poverty level had the lowest diabetes prevalence—6.3% for men and 3.9% for women—compared to 13.1% for those at or below the poverty level. (3)

Diabetes Prevalence by Education Level

Diabetes prevalence varies significantly by education level, a key indicator of socioeconomic status. Those with higher education are less likely to face complications at diagnosis, while lower educational attainment is associated with a higher mortality risk among people with diabetes.

• Diabetes prevalence differed by education level: 13.1% for less than high school, 9.1% for high school, and 6.9% for higher education. (3)

Diabetes Prevalence Rises with Age

Older adults face a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, largely due to the combined effects of increasing insulin resistance and declining pancreatic islet function as they age.

• According to the CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report, in the United States, 136 million adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes. (4)
• In 2021, approximately 1.2 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in individuals aged 18 and older. (4)

• The percentage of adults with diabetes increases with age, reaching 29.2% among those 65 years and older. (5)
• In 2021, crude estimates indicated that 38.4 million people of all ages, or 11.6% of the U.S. population, had diabetes. (5)

Diabetes Rates: Higher in Nonmetropolitan Areas

Diabetes is more prevalent in rural areas, where environmental factors and access barriers make it harder to maintain a healthy diet, including consuming enough fruits and vegetables. These challenges contribute to the higher risk of diabetes in these communities.

• In metropolitan areas, the total percentage is 8.1%, whereas in nonmetropolitan areas, the total percentage is higher at 9.5%. (3)
• This data suggests that nonmetropolitan areas generally have higher percentages compared to metropolitan areas. (3)

Symptoms of Diabetes 

Diabetes symptoms can differ based on the type of diabetes and your blood sugar levels. Some individuals, such as those with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, may not experience any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include the following:

Types of Diabetes 

Diabetes impacts people of all ages, and most forms are chronic, meaning they last a lifetime. However, all types of diabetes can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. The most common types of diabetes include:

1. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Although the exact cause is unknown, it affects up to 10% of people with diabetes. It’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults but can develop at any age.

• In 2021, over 1.2 million children and adolescents had type 1 diabetes, with more than half (54%) of them being under 15 years old. The number of children and adolescents (up to 19 years old) living with diabetes continues to rise each year. (1)

• Globally, an estimated 1,211,900 children and adolescents under 20 years old have type 1 diabetes. Each year, around 108,200 children and adolescents under 15 years old are newly diagnosed with the condition. (1)
• Each year, there are 184,100 newly diagnosed cases of type 1 diabetes. It cannot be prevented, and individuals with type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive. (1)

2. Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or your cells don’t respond properly to it, a condition known as insulin resistance. This is the most common form of diabetes, primarily affecting adults, though children can also develop it.

• Type 2 diabetes makes up the vast majority—over 90%—of diabetes cases worldwide. (1)
• The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is high and rising across all regions globally. There is evidence that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed, and growing research suggests that remission of the condition may sometimes be possible. (1)
• The incidence of type 2 diabetes is higher in non-Caucasian populations, with a significant increase observed in youth-onset type 2 diabetes in recent years. (1)

3. Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops in some individuals during pregnancy and typically goes away after childbirth. However, having gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

• Pregnant women with gestational diabetes may have larger-than-average babies, raising the risk of complications during pregnancy and birth for both mother and baby. (1)
• In 2021, it was estimated that 21.1 million live births (16.7%) were to women who experienced some form of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. Of these cases, 80.3% were attributed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). (1)
• The percentage of mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy rose from 6.0% in 2016 to 8.3% in 2021. This increase was observed across all maternal age groups, with rates steadily rising as maternal age increased. (6)

4. Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition that occurs before Type 2 diabetes, where your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes.

• People aged 18 to 44 years made up approximately 32.8 million of these cases. (4)
• Approximately 98 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. (6)
• Men accounted for approximately 53.2 million cases of prediabetes, while women accounted for around 44.3 million cases. (4)

• In the United States, non-Hispanic white adults accounted for approximately 61.8 million cases of prediabetes. (4)

• Over 8 in 10 adults with prediabetes are unaware they have it. (6)

Diabetes-Related Deaths worldwide in 2021, Broken Down by Region

Diabetes ranks among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. People with diabetes face a 2-3 times higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those without the condition.

• In 2021, an estimated 301,200 deaths among people aged 60 and younger in South East Asia were attributed to diabetes. That same year, South America and Central America recorded the lowest number of diabetes-related deaths. (7)
• In 2021, it was estimated that over 6.7 million people aged 20–79 would die from diabetes-related causes. (1)
• In 2021, it was estimated that approximately 6.7 million adults aged 20–79 died due to diabetes or its complications. This accounts for 12.2% of all global deaths in this age group. Diabetes is a significant cause of death worldwide, though its impact differs across regions. (1)
• About one-third (32.6%) of all diabetes-related deaths occur in people of working age (under 60), representing 11.8% of total global deaths among those under 60. (1)

Preventing Complications Related to Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires constant attention and commitment to your treatment plan. While it demands effort, the benefits are significant—careful management can greatly reduce your risk of serious, even life-threatening, complications.

• 78.8% reported having at least one regular source of diabetes care, such as a doctor or other healthcare professional. (4)
• Only 24.1% met the recommended goal of at least 150 minutes of leisure-time physical activity per week. (4)

Diabetes-Related Emergency Room Visits per 1,000 Adults, U.S., 2019-2020

• In 2020, approximately 16.8 million emergency department visits were recorded with diabetes as a listed diagnosis among adults aged 18 and older. (4)

Global Diabetes Healthcare Costs by Region in 2021

• Global health expenditure due to diabetes has seen a significant rise, increasing from USD 232 billion in 2007 to USD 966 billion in 2021 for adults aged 20–79 years. (1)
• Diabetes-related spending in the European region amounts to USD 189 billion, representing 19.6% of global expenditure. (1)
• The European region has the second-highest average cost per person with diabetes (ages 20-79) at USD 3,086. (1)
• In 2021, the average cost per diabetic patient in North America and the Caribbean was about $8,650, significantly higher than in any other region. (9)
• In 2021, the United States had the highest average annual cost per person with diabetes, nearing 12,000 U.S. dollars per patient. (9)
• In 2022, the estimated total direct and indirect costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States amounted to $413 billion. (4)
• In 2021, the North American and Caribbean region spent approximately 415 billion U.S. dollars on diabetes healthcare. (10)

• The U.S. leads diabetes-related spending at USD 379.5 billion, followed by China at USD 165.3 billion, and Brazil at USD 42.9 billion. (1)

Top U.S. States by Adult Prediabetes Rates (2022)

The map illustrates the state-by-state percentage of U.S. adults diagnosed with prediabetes as of 2022. It underscores the variability in prediabetes diagnoses across the U.S., reflecting both regional health challenges and the broader nationwide issue.

• Hawaii tops the nation with a shocking 3.4% of adults diagnosed with prediabetes, well above the 2.3% national average. (11)
• States like New Mexico and Oklahoma also show alarming rates at 3.1%, indicating a growing health crisis across the country. (11)

Diabetes Mellitus Deaths in the U.S. (1950-2019)

• In 2019, the United States saw 21.6 deaths from diabetes mellitus per 100,000 people. (12)

Prepregnancy Diabetes Rates by State in the U.S. (2021)

The map provides a detailed overview of the rate of pregnancy diabetes by the state of residence of the mother in the United States for 2021. It includes data on the rate of pregnancy diabetes per 1,000 births in each state.

• New Mexico saw an astonishing 83% increase in pregnancy diabetes rates from 2016 to 2021, jumping to 20.3 cases per 1,000 births. (13)
• Wyoming experienced a rare decrease, with pregnancy diabetes rates dropping by 3%, one of the few states to see a decline. (13)
• The pregnancy diabetes rate in Indiana surged by a staggering 44%, reaching 12.8 cases per 1,000 births in 2021. (13)
• Hawaii witnessed a dramatic 38% drop in pregnancy diabetes rates, falling to 7.7 cases per 1,000 births. (13)
• Michigan’s pregnancy diabetes rate spiked by 15%, reaching nearly 10 cases per 1,000 births in 2021. (13)
• In 2021, approximately 10.9 out of every 1,000 live births in the United States were to mothers with pre-pregnancy diabetes. (13)

Final Thought

Diabetes is more than just a statistic; it’s a profound challenge that affects millions of lives every day. From adolescents younger than 18 to older adults, the rise in diagnosed diabetes increased and brought with it a wave of complications, including reported severe vision difficulty, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and ischemic heart disease. Vision disability diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults.

According to the American Diabetes Association, early diagnosis and careful management are crucial in preventing these life-threatening conditions. Yet, despite our best efforts, the total direct estimated costs associated with diabetes, including excess medical costs, continue to climb, placing a heavy burden on individuals and the healthcare system alike.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns that diabetes is often an underlying or contributing cause of many health issues, from impaired glucose tolerance to end-stage kidney disease. These statistics are not just numbers—they represent the real lives of people fighting to manage their health. It’s a call to action for better prevention, education, and support so that fewer individuals have to face the devastating consequences of this disease.