A new report has revealed that diabetes cases in the United Kingdom have hit an all-time high, with over 4.6 million people officially diagnosed with the condition. This marks an increase from 4.4 million last year, according to figures from the charity Diabetes UK.
The report also highlights a significant number of undiagnosed cases, estimating that 1.3 million adults in the UK have type 2 diabetes but remain unaware of their condition. Additionally, 6.3 million people are living with prediabetes—where blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet in the diabetic range—putting them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if lifestyle changes are not made. Altogether, more than 12 million adults, or one in five people in the UK, are affected by diabetes or prediabetes.
Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, stressed the urgency of identifying those who are unknowingly living with diabetes.
“The sooner we can find and get them the care they need, the more harm we can prevent,” Marshall stated.
Diabetes primarily exists in two forms: type 1, an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells, and type 2, which occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively. Around 90% of diabetes cases in the UK are type 2, a condition closely linked to obesity, poor diet, and high blood pressure. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 8% of cases, with the remaining 2% classified as rare forms of the disease.
Without proper management, diabetes can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage. The increasing number of diabetes cases in the UK reflects a global trend, with recent estimates from The Lancet indicating that 828 million people worldwide were living with diabetes in 2022—an enormous rise from 630 million in 1990.
Diabetes UK is calling on the government to improve care and prevention efforts, including better support for newly diagnosed patients and regular health screenings to catch complications early.
“There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of developing devastating complications,” Marshall added.
