Study: India had world’s second-largest diabetes population in 2024, with estimates at 90 million adults
A study reported in The Indian Express said India ranked second globally in the number of adults living with diabetes in 2024, with an estimate of 90 million. Researchers noted that large-population countries contribute a significant share of the worldwide diabetes burden.
Study places India second globally by diabetes numbers
India is home to the world’s second-largest population of adults living with diabetes, estimated at 90 million in 2024, according to a study reported by The Indian Express. The report said China ranked first and the United States third, reinforcing how large-population nations account for a major share of the global diabetes burden.
The findings, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and cited by the Indian Express report, underline that diabetes is not only a clinical challenge but also a system-level issue, affecting health budgets, workforce productivity and long-term care needs.
Why the numbers matter beyond prevalence
High diabetes prevalence translates into a sustained load on primary care, diagnostics, medication access and complication management. The impact is not limited to glucose control; it extends to heart disease, kidney outcomes, vision health and neuropathy risks, all of which can raise the long-term cost of care for families and public health systems.
The study’s broader message, as reported, is that the global distribution of diabetes is increasingly shaped by demographic scale and urbanisation-linked risk factors. This makes public-health strategies in countries like India particularly influential for worldwide outcomes.
Implications for policy and prevention
For India, such estimates typically sharpen attention on prevention and early detection—screening in primary care, lifestyle interventions, and timely treatment to reduce complications. As the numbers grow, the public-health focus often shifts from isolated awareness campaigns to more structural approaches: healthier food environments, community activity promotion and integrated chronic disease management.
While the report centres on 2024 estimates, its relevance is immediate: diabetes management requires continuity, and the scale cited suggests that progress will depend on sustained, multi-year public and private health-system coordination.