Epidemiology and Burden of Type 2 Diabetes in South Asia

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions across South Asia, driven by rapid urbanisation, demographic shifts and changing lifestyles. Prevalence estimates now exceed 10% in many urban populations and are rising steadily in rural areas. Genetic predisposition, early-life undernutrition followed by overnutrition, sedentary behaviour and central obesity combine to elevate risk. The region bears a substantial share of global diabetes-related morbidity and mortality, with disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to diabetes rising sharply over the past three decades. Large gaps in awareness, treatment and glycaemic control amplify the public health challenge, with socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, rural residents and younger adults increasingly affected. The economic impact is profound, reflecting direct healthcare costs and loss of productivity. Addressing this burden requires integrated strategies spanning population-level prevention, strengthened primary care for early detection and management, targeted education campaigns and policy measures to promote healthy diets and physical activity.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent data from a large national household survey in India reveal stark socioeconomic gradients in the diabetes care cascade. Despite an overall adult prevalence of around 16%, only about 27% of those with diabetes were aware of their condition, approximately 22% received treatment and a mere 7% achieved glycaemic control. Awareness, treatment and control rates were substantially lower among poorer, less educated individuals, men, rural dwellers and socially marginalised communities. These findings highlight critical barriers to screening, access and adherence and underscore the need for tailored interventions to close equity gaps and mitigate the overall health burden.

Epidemiology and Burden of Type 2 Diabetes in South Asia publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology and burden of type 2 diabetes in south asia across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Prevalence: The proportion of a population affected by a condition at a specific time.

Incidence: The rate at which new cases of a disease occur in a population over a period.

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs): A composite measure of years of life lost due to premature mortality and years lived with disability.

Glycaemic control: The management of blood glucose levels within target ranges to reduce risk of complications.

References

1. Socioeconomic inequality in awareness, treatment and control of diabetes among adults in India: Evidence from National Family Health Survey of India (NFHS), 2019–2021. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. Prevalence and risk factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes in India: Insights from NFHS-5 national survey. Journal of Global Health (2023).
3. The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the youth in southern India—An ancillary analysis of the Secular TRends in DiabEtes in India (STRiDE‐I) study. Journal of Diabetes (2024).
4. The increasing burden of diabetes and variations among the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016. The Lancet Global Health (2018).