Diabetes: A comprehensive review of the Indian landscape in contrast with global trends

Table 6 An Indian view of the epidemiology of diabetes (2024-2025)

Epidemiology of diabetes (2024-2025)
Parameter	Details
Ref.	Duncan et al[119], 2025; Indian Council of Medical Research[120], 2023; The Times of India[121], 2025; MedBound Times[122]; India Today NE[124]
Total diabetics (20-79 years)	As of 2024, approximately 89.8 million individuals in India have diabetes, projected to rise to 101 million by 2025
Prediabetes prevalence	An estimated 136 million Indians have prediabetes, highlighting a critical population requiring preventive interventions
Urban vs rural prevalence	Urban areas report a higher prevalence (15%-20%) compared to rural areas (8%-12%), though rural rates are rising steadily
Gender distribution	Males show a slightly higher prevalence, though women, especially those with a history of gestational diabetes, are significantly affected
Age group most affected	Adults aged 45-59 years are most affected, with a concerning increase in cases among those aged 30-45
Top states/UTs by prevalence (%)	Goa (26.4%), Puducherry (26.3%), and Kerala (25.5%) report the highest prevalence rates
Least affected states	Bihar (4.3%), Mizoram (6%), and Nagaland (approximately 6%) have the lowest reported prevalence
Key risk factors	Obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, family history, and tobacco/alcohol use are major contributors
Complications	Includes retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and diabetic foot ulcers
Economic burden	Diabetes costs India an estimated $30 billion annually in direct and indirect costs
Government initiatives	Key programs include the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS), Ayushman Bharat, and eSanjeevani teleconsultation services
Recent trends	The disease burden is shifting towards rural areas and lower socio-economic groups, with a rise in type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents
Challenges	Key hurdles include late diagnosis, poor glycemic control, inadequate healthcare infrastructure in rural regions, and a lack of public awareness

UTs: Union Territories; NPCDCS: National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke.