Home / Health / Lancet Study: 90 Million Indians Battle Diabetes
Lancet Study: 90 Million Indians Battle Diabetes
18 Jan
Summary
- India has the world's second-largest adult diabetes population at 90 million.
- Over 11% of the global adult population had diabetes in 2024.
- Four-fifths of the world's diabetes cases are in low and middle-income countries.

India is grappling with a significant diabetes burden, ranking second worldwide with 90 million affected adults in 2024. A recent Lancet study reveals that globally, nearly 13% of adults, or 853 million, are projected to have diabetes by 2050, up from 589 million in 2024. This escalating number is attributed to population growth, aging, and urbanization.
The study emphasizes that low and middle-income countries shoulder the majority of this chronic disease, accounting for over 80% of the global diabetes population in 2024. These regions are also expected to experience more than 95% of the increase in cases by 2050, necessitating increased support for data collection and resource-poor settings.
In response to the rising tide of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, India's National Health Mission implements programs for prevention, control, and screening. Initiatives targeting individuals aged 30 and above aim for universal screening, with free medicines and follow-up services provided to diagnosed patients.




