Pakistan has the highest diabetes rate globally, according to the 11th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, presented at the IDF Congress in Bangkok.
Around 230,000 Pakistanis die annually from diabetes-related complications. If trends continue, the number of diabetes patients in Pakistan is expected to grow from 34.5 million in 2024 to 70.2 million by 2050, surpassing the U.S. in total cases.
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The report highlights significant gaps in diagnosis and care, with over 9.3 million Pakistanis unaware of their condition. Pakistan spends just $79 per patient each year, one of the lowest globally.
Prof. Abdul Basit of Indus Hospital warned that urgent action is needed to address this “silent pandemic,” or it will severely impact future generations in Pakistan.
The report also notes a rise in diabetes cases among the elderly and pregnant women, further straining Pakistan’s already fragile healthcare system. The country leads all Islamic nations in both the number and prevalence of diabetes, with an estimated 70 million cases by 2050.
