International Diabetes Federation Releases Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition (2025): Top 10 Key Takeaways from India
Diabetes has emerged as one of the most pressing public health concerns in India. As per the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition (2025), India not only bears one of the world’s largest diabetes burdens but is also on a trajectory for a steep rise in prevalence over the coming decades. Here are ten key insights into India’s diabetes landscape and what the future holds:
1. India is Home to 1 in 7 Adults with Diabetes Worldwide
As of 2024, India accounts for 1 in every 7 adults living with diabetes globally. With an estimated 89.8 million adults (aged 20–79 years) diagnosed with the condition, India ranks second only to China in terms of absolute numbers. This staggering figure reflects the growing burden of the disease in the country1.
2. Projected Diabetes Population to Reach 156.7 Million by 2050
Projections for India indicate a 75% increase in the number of people living with diabetes by 2050. From 89.8 million in 2024, this number is expected to reach 156.7 million by 2050, keeping India firmly in the second position globally. This surge is attributed to a mix of demographic shifts, urbanization, and lifestyle factors1.
3. High Proportion of Undiagnosed Diabetes
A major concern highlighted in the Atlas is the high proportion of undiagnosed cases in India. 43% of adults with diabetes in India—approximately 38.6 million people—were unaware of their condition. This widespread trend is linked to limited access to healthcare services and the inadequate ability of health systems to detect diabetes, especially in low- and middle-income nations1.
4. Significant Economic Impact
Despite its massive burden, India’s per capita spending on diabetes care remains low at approximately USD 109.5 per person in 2024. The total national health expenditure on diabetes crossed USD 9.8 billion, representing a mounting economic strain on both families and the healthcare system1.
5. Rising Brunt Among Younger Adults
India is experiencing an alarming shift towards a higher burden of diabetes among its adult population. As per the IDF Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition (2025), the age-standardized prevalence of diabetes in adults aged 20–79 years stands at 10.5% in 2024 and is projected to rise to 12.8% by 2050. India features among the top five countries globally with the highest age-standardized prevalence in this age group, highlighting the growing impact of the disease across the population1.
6. India’s Contribution to the Regional Diabetes Burden
India accounts for a substantial share of the diabetes burden in the Southeast Asia Region. In 2024, 89.8 million adults aged 20–79 years in India were living with diabetes, out of a total of 106.9 million in the entire region. This indicates that India contributes over 80% of the regional diabetes cases. The Southeast Asia Region is projected to experience a 73% increase in the number of adults with diabetes, reaching 184.5 million by 2050​1.
7. Substantial Population at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Beyond those already diagnosed, India also has a significant population with impaired glucose regulation. The age-standardized prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is 13.9%, while that of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) stands at 11.7%. These figures point to a significant pool of individuals at risk of developing diabetes in the near future1.
8. Diabetes-Related Complications & Mortality Remains High
In 2024 alone, India reported over 334,922.2 diabetes-related deaths. These deaths are largely preventable with timely diagnosis, effective management, and better access to essential medications and care1.
Diabetes is associated with serious complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, nerve damage, and loss of vision. The latest data shows that people living with type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all diabetes, are at 84% higher risk of heart failure than people who do not have the condition2.
9. India Ranks Second Globally for Type 1 Diabetes Burden
India has the second-highest number of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) across all age groups. In 2024, 941,000 people in India were reported to have T1D, including 301,000 children and adolescents under 20 years. This significant number highlights the need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and care infrastructure for managing type 1 diabetes in India​1.
10. Strengthening Early Detection, Expanding Diagnostic Capacity & Early Intervention
Given the scale of India’s diabetes burden and future projections, the Atlas highlights the importance of taking immediate action. Expanding access to affordable screening and improving diagnostic capacity are essential first steps toward better care for people with diabetes. These measures are especially critical for India, which has the second-highest number of undiagnosed diabetes cases globally1.
India is facing a rapidly growing diabetes challenge that requires urgent and focused action. With millions of cases expected to rise further in the coming years, delays in diagnosis, lack of awareness, and uneven access to care remain major concerns. Strengthening prevention, early screening, and effective treatment are critical to control the rising burden and protect the country’s health system from being overwhelmed1.
The 11ᵗʰ edition of the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas was released earlier this week at the start of the organization’s World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand2.
Reference:
1.International Diabetes Federation. (2025). IDF Diabetes Atlas (11th ed.). https://diabetesatlas.org/resources/idf-diabetes-atlas-2025/
2.International Diabetes Federation. (2025, April 7). Over 250 million people worldwide unaware they have diabetes, according to new research from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) [Press release]. https://idf.org/news/idf-diabetes-atlas-11th-edition/
