A new study published in The Lancet reveals that India is home to nearly 25% of the world’s diabetic population, with over 100 million people currently living with the disease. This makes India the country with the highest number of diabetes cases globally, highlighting the growing public health crisis.
The study also projects that the global number of people with diabetes, currently 537 million, will rise to 700 million by 2045. India’s diabetes rate has surged due to factors like increasing urbanization, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles. In India, 1 in 10 adults is now affected, a significant rise in recent years.
Experts point to rising obesity levels, high sugar consumption, and limited awareness, particularly in rural areas, as key contributors. With diabetes leading to serious complications like heart disease and kidney failure, there are calls for greater public health campaigns, improved access to affordable treatment, and stronger efforts to promote healthier lifestyles across the country.