New Type 1 Diabetes Statistics Report

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) cases have been steadily increasing for decades in children and adolescents, but new studies show cases in adults are on the rise.

Not just in the U.S., where rates are rising rapidly, but internationally, T1D cases are increasing (two to five percent per year) in Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

As of 2024, over 9.4 million people are living with T1D globally, with over 500,000 newly diagnosed cases. A devastating fact is that one in three individuals is lost prematurely to the disease despite technological advancements like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).

T1D is on the Rise

• 1990: 2.3 million cases
• 2024: 9.4 million cases
• 2040: 16.4 million expected cases

A recent study from Nature.com suggests that the T1D burden is a growing global health concern, especially in countries with low SDI (socioeconomic index). Nations with lower incomes, lower literacy rates, and higher birth rates tend to have more T1D-diagnosed cases.

T1D Prevalence World Wide

On a world map, Finland, Sweden, and Norway have the highest incidence rates of T1D. In contrast, South American nations such as Brazil and Venezuela and the Asian countries of China and Thailand have the lowest prevalence.

According to the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, here’s a breakdown by country:

1. Finland: Finland has the highest reported rate of new cases of type 1 diabetes globally, approximately 60 cases per 100,000 annually.
2.  Sweden: Similar in location and genetic predisposition, Sweden has approximately 40-50 new cases annually.
3. Norway: Another Scandinavian country with high T1D rates is Norway, with approximately 30-40 cases per 100,000 individuals annually.

Interesting Fact: Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) speculate that the frequency of T1D diagnosis in the Scandinavian region is due to genetics and environmental factors, but the northern latitude and low vitamin D level could also be the reason.

4. United Kingdom: Rates are climbing in the U.K., with approximately 20 to 30 new cases a year. Consequently, Wales and Scotland have slightly higher rates in the U.K.
5. Canada: Canada rates high, with approximately 20-25 cases per 100,000 annually.
6. Australia and New Zealand: These countries are trending high in the South Pacific Oceanic region, with approximately 20-25 cases annually.
7. United States: In 2021, the U.S. ranked second with the highest number of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Now, the U.S. sees approximately 15-20 cases per 100,000 a year.
8. India: There are approximately 17.93 cases per 100,000 people in India, with varying rates across regions. Additionally, new cases are increasing at an estimated 3-5% annually.

Ethnicity Rates of T1D

Recent research suggests that T1D is the most common among non-Hispanic Caucasians, followed by Black Americans, Latinos and Hispanic Americans. Worldwide, the highest rates are found in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and the lowest are in China and Japan.

It’s interesting to note that in the U.S. and Scandinavia–type 1 diabetes is more common among Caucasians, while people in Asia and South America have a low risk of T1D.

In the last decade, certain countries have seen specific growth of T1D, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and Scandinavia, with the highest increase in Saudi Arabia (especially among children and adolescents).

Other countries with T1D cases on the rise include Ireland, the U.K., Canada, Sweden, and Algeria.

Contributing Influences for the High T1D Incidence Rates

• Genetics: Individuals with European ancestry show a higher risk.
• Environmental Triggers: Viral infections, diet, and climate (e.g., low sunlight exposure affecting vitamin D levels) are linked to T1D
• Early Detection and Diagnosis: Countries with more robust healthcare often report higher rates due to more thorough screening.

The Gender Divide of T1D

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report that showed more men than women get type 1 diabetes.

In the U.S., men are more likely to receive a T1D diagnosis than women, and in one study, the occurrence rate of type 1 was 15.9 per 100,000 people annually and 8.6 per 100,000 per year for women.

In some populations, the male-to-female ratio for type 1 diabetes is around 3:2 for people aged 15-40.

A study from the ADA, published in the Diabetes Care Journal, found that men were more likely than women to be diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

Type 1 Incidents by Age

Where it was once believed that type 1 diabetes was more common in children between the ages of four and six and again in early puberty, between 10 and 14 years old, a study from Emory University in 2022 found that it was more prevalent in adults. The Lancet also reports that 58% of type 1 cases were diagnosed in people aged 30 or , younger, while 42% were diagnosed in people aged 31 to 60. 

Accordingly, recent discoveries show that you can develop type 1 diabetes at any age, even in your 60s and 70s!

Timely Diagnosis Saves Lives

These statistics highlight the growing need for awareness, screening, and early detection. The sooner you know, the healthier you can tackle the disease with successful management strategies.

The increasing statistics are a call to action for continued research to examine the environmental triggers and determine the quickest, safest path to a practical cure.