Global diabetes rate doubled in past 30 years to 14%: Study

The percentage of adults suffering from diabetes across the world doubled over the past three decades, the biggest rises occurring in developing countries, a study said on Nov 13.

The serious health condition affected around 14 per cent of all adults worldwide in 2022, compared with 7 per cent in 1990, according to the new analysis in The Lancet journal.

Taking into account the growing global population, the team of researchers estimated that more than 800 million people are now diabetic, compared with less than 200 million in 1990.

These figures include both main types of diabetes.

Type 1 affects patients from a young age and is more difficult to treat because it is caused by an insulin deficiency.

Type 2 affects mainly middle-aged or older people who lose their sensitivity to insulin.