Nearly half of the world's population is unaware they have diabetes – study

More than 40 percent of people worldwide are unaware they have diabetes, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

The analysis found that 44 percent of people aged 15 and older with diabetes are undiagnosed and therefore do not know they have the disease. The findings are based on a systematic review of data from 204 countries and territories, along with published literature and surveys from 2000 to 2023.

“The majority of those identified in the study had type 2 diabetes,” said study author Lorin Stafford.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, one in nine adults worldwide has diabetes.

“We found that 56 percent of people with diabetes were aware of their disease,” Stafford added.

The study noted that global rates vary widely by region and age. In general, high-income countries have better diagnostic capabilities than low- and middle-income nations. Diabetes is far less common in people under 35 than in middle-aged and older adults, yet only 20 percent of young people with the disease are aware of it.

Stafford emphasized that early detection is critical, as it allows for timely treatment and helps prevent or delay long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss.

Symptoms of diabetes may include increased thirst or appetite, blurred vision, unexpected weight loss, and fatigue. However, many people experience no symptoms in the early stages, which makes screening and diagnosis even more important.

The study also found that in 2023, about 40 percent of people with diabetes worldwide achieved optimal treatment results, successfully lowering their blood sugar levels. Stafford stressed the importance of proper and consistent treatment, noting that people with diabetes often face additional health problems, such as hypertension or chronic kidney disease, which complicate management.

It is worth noting that the sharp increase in life expectancy recorded in the first half of the 20th century is unlikely to be repeated in the future, according to scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and the French Institute for Demographic Research.