Largest Diabetes Populations by Country: Top 10 in 2024
Countries with the largest diabetes populations in 2024
China has the world's largest adult diabetes population, with an estimated 148.0 million adults ages 20–79 living with diabetes in 2024. India ranks second at 89.8 million, followed by the United States at 38.5 million and Pakistan at 34.5 million.
This ranking is based on the absolute number of adults living with diabetes, not diabetes prevalence. A country can have a lower prevalence rate than another country but still rank much higher by total burden because its adult population is much larger.
| Rank | Country | Adults with diabetes | Data note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 148.0M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 2 | India | 89.8M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 3 | United States | 38.5M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 4 | Pakistan | 34.5M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 5 | Indonesia | 20.4M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 6 | Brazil | 16.6M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 13.9M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 8 | Mexico | 13.6M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 9 | Egypt | 13.2M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
| 10 | Japan | 10.8M | official_value · 2024 IDF estimate |
How the largest diabetes populations are projected to change by 2050
IDF projects the global number of adults ages 20–79 living with diabetes to rise from 588.7 million in 2024 to 852.5 million in 2050. These are IDF projections based on its demographic methodology; they are not StatRanker-generated forecasts.
| Rank | Country | Projected adults with diabetes | Data note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 168.3M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 2 | India | 156.7M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 3 | Pakistan | 70.2M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 4 | United States | 43.0M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 5 | Indonesia | 28.6M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 6 | Egypt | 24.7M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 7 | Brazil | 24.0M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 23.1M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 9 | Mexico | 19.9M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
| 10 | Türkiye | 14.1M | official_forecast · IDF 2050 projection |
2024 burden at a glance
Methodology and interpretation
What is ranked
The ranking uses the total estimated number of adults ages 20–79 living with diabetes in each country. Larger absolute counts rank higher.
Observed vs projected values
2024 country values are published IDF estimates. The 2050 values are official IDF projections and are shown separately so observed estimates and future projections are not mixed.
Why this differs from prevalence
Prevalence is a percentage of the adult population. Burden is the number of adults living with diabetes. Countries with very large populations can rank high by burden without having the world's highest prevalence rate.
Projection limits
IDF states that its projections are demographic and do not incorporate future changes in diabetes risk factors such as body weight. The Atlas therefore describes them as conservative and subject to uncertainty.
What the numbers show
The ten countries in the 2024 table contain an estimated 399.3 million adults with diabetes, about 67.8% of the global 588.7 million total. China and India alone account for 237.8 million, about 40.4% of the global estimate.
The global total is projected to rise by about 263.8 million adults between 2024 and 2050, an increase of roughly 44.8%. The largest absolute increases among countries in the IDF Top 10 are concentrated in populous Asian and middle-income countries.
FAQ
Which country has the most adults living with diabetes?
China ranks first in the IDF 2024 estimates with 148.0 million adults ages 20–79 living with diabetes.
Is this a ranking of diabetes prevalence?
No. This page ranks absolute numbers of adults living with diabetes. Prevalence rankings answer a different question because they compare percentages rather than population counts.
How many adults worldwide were living with diabetes in 2024?
IDF estimates 588.7 million adults ages 20–79, approximately one in nine adults worldwide.
How many adults are projected to have diabetes in 2050?
IDF projects about 852.5 million adults ages 20–79 in 2050. This is an official IDF projection rather than a StatRanker forecast.
Why can a country rank high by burden but lower by prevalence?
Absolute burden depends on both prevalence and population size. A very populous country can have a moderate prevalence rate and still have tens of millions of adults living with diabetes.
Are undiagnosed cases included?
Yes. IDF states that its total estimates include adults with undiagnosed diabetes.
Related StatRanker pages
For broader health rankings, see the Disease rankings hub. For a U.S.-specific view, see Diabetes in America.
Sources
IDF Diabetes Atlas 11th Edition (2025)
Primary source for the 2024 and 2050 Top 10 country rankings, global totals and methodology.
https://diabetesatlas.org/media/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/IDF_Diabetes_Atlas_11th_Edition_2025_WEB.pdf
IDF Diabetes Atlas FAQ
Used for definitions, projection limits and confirmation that undiagnosed cases are included in total estimates.
IDF Diabetes Atlas data by location
Country-level source for detailed national diabetes estimates and source-study notes.
IDF Diabetes Atlas homepage
Current global headline estimates: 589 million adults in 2024 and 853 million projected for 2050.
