Diabetes Rates by Country

by admin on August 23, 2019


From the latest available figure, which is from 2010, it was estimated about 285 million people suffer from type 2 diabetes. Both developed and developing nations have a high rate of diabetes, but it is quite rare in poor or underdeveloped countries. From this basic and simple fact we can see that lifestyle is the reason for this increase. For instance, developed and developing countries have generally more sedentary lifestyle due to technology, yet at the same time they have access to more unhealthy food. People from underdeveloped countries on the other hand, do not have excess food intake, hence the obesity is low, and yet they do not have technology to rely on so physical activities remain high.

Diabetes Rates by Country

diabetes rates by country diabetes rates by country

As mentioned earlier, it was estimated that there are 285 million people with diabetes. Of those about 90% of diabetes cases is type 2 diabetes. In comparison to the world’s population, this is more than 5% of the world’s adult population, so this is a high, and sadly increasing numbers. Although diabetes is common both in developed and developing countries, it remains uncommon, however, in the underdeveloped world where the populations have different lifestyle. It has been postulated and probably quite accurately that people in underdeveloped countries are more active and at the same time do not over eat; two of the main known causes of diabetes. That is why it comes to no one’s surprise that the top of the lists are countries that have adopted a more modern life style and food, including fast food.

In terms of gender, women seem to be at a greater risk in getting diabetes, compared to men. Scientists have not come to any definite conclusion based on their studies to answer this basic fact. As for ethnicity, certain ethnic groups have higher rate of diabetes compared to others, for instance South Asians, Pacific Islanders, Latinos, and Native Americans. As mentioned earlier, this may be caused by the adoption of a Western lifestyle in certain ethnic groups, including the spread of fast food in those countries which happened only in recent years.

diabetes rates by country - world diabetes statistics world diabetes statistics

Compared to previous years, what is the situation today? Based on the data from various reputable organizations such as WHO, CDC, we know that the cases of diabetes in 1985 were estimated at 30 million, increasing to 135 million in 1995 and 217 million in 2005. This increase is caused by a decrease in exercise and the adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle, and increasing rates of obesity with the spread of western style food including fast food.

Below is the list of diabetes rates by country as of 2010.

Country Diabetes Rate
 Nauru  30.9%
 UAE  18.7%
 Saudi Arabia  16.8%
 Mauritius  16.2%
 Bahrain  15.4%
 Reunion  15.3%
 Kuwait  14.6%
 Oman  13.4%
 Tonga  13.4%
 Malaysia  11.6%

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: