ISLAMABAD: Pakistan now ranks at the top globally for diabetes prevalence, with the latest 2025 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report showing that 30.8% of its adult population is affected—a situation the agency has described as “extremely alarming.”
Experts note that Pakistan’s diabetes prevalence is three times higher than the global average, signalling a severe and expanding public health crisis.
According to Gulf News, which published details from the IDF report, global spending on diabetes care has surged to one trillion dollars, and the disease is becoming a major and complex challenge for many countries in the coming years.
The IDF Diabetes Atlas 2025, released in August, shows that 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 worldwide are currently living with diabetes—one in every nine people. Of these, 252 million remain undiagnosed, facing serious complications without treatment.
The global burden is rising rapidly, with the highest number of cases reported in Asian countries. China, India, and Pakistan now rank as the top three countries with the largest diabetic populations.
China: 148 million patients
India: 101 million
Pakistan: 36 million
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin.
Pakistan’s Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Dr. Nelson Azeem, stated that the country’s diabetes burden has reached 40%, urging citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles. “Lifestyle changes, regular exercise, and improved dietary habits are essential to curb this rising trend,” he said.
The secretary added that diabetes cases have increased compared to the past five years and are likely to rise further in the next five years if corrective measures are not taken. While the government is ensuring the free provision of diabetes medication, he emphasized the need to avoid sugary drinks and fast food to prevent the disease.
He further said that awareness initiatives have been launched at schools, colleges, and universities, along with periodic walks and public campaigns aimed at prevention.
