1 in 6 adults has diabetes – 85 million. The highest proportion of all IDF Regions.

The number of adults with diabetes is predicted to increase by 92% to 163 million by 2050 – the second highest increase of all IDF Regions.

1 in 3 adults living with diabetes are undiagnosed.

The Region has the highest diabetes prevalence in older adults (32.3%).

Diabetes-related expenditure totals USD 35 billion in 2024.

1 in 5 live births are affected by hyperglycaemia in pregnancy.

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Number of adults (20–79 years) with diabetes in Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

2000 17.0 million
2011 32.6 million
2024 84.7 million
2050 162.6 million

Estimates were made for 21 countries and territories in the IDF Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) Region. A total of 34 data sources from 18 countries were used to estimate diabetes prevalence among adults aged 20-79 years. Three countries: Islamic Republic of Iran, State of Palestine and Jordan had studies conducted within the past five years.

The MENA Region has the highest regional prevalence at 17.6% and the second highest expected increase (92%) in the number of people with diabetes, reaching a predicted 163 million by 2050. A total of 1.4 million people are living with type 1 diabetes. The Region has the highest percentage (21.6%) of diabetes-related deaths in people of working age (<60 years). Despite being home to 14.4% of people with diabetes worldwide, only 35 billion USD was spent on diabetes in the Region, representing 3.4% of the total global expenditure.

 

 

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People with diabetes, in 1,000s

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Age-standardised prevalence of diabetes, %

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At a glance

Middle East and North Africa

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2000
2011
2024
2050
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Diabetes estimates (20-79 y)
People with diabetes, in 1,000s 17,007.6 32,600.0 84,688.7 162,616.5
Age-standardised prevalence of diabetes, % 7.7 11.0 19.9 22.8
Proportion of people with undiagnosed diabetes, % - - 37.2 -
People with undiagnosed diabetes, in 1,000s - - 31,528.5 -
Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG)
People with IFG, in 1,000s - - 36,159.8 62,211.7
Age-standardised prevalence of IFG, % - - 8.0 8.4
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)
People with IGT, in 1,000s - 23,900.0 49,742.2 85,330.1
Age-standardised prevalence of IGT, % - 7.6 11.0 11.6
Mortality attributable to diabetes (20-79 y)
Deaths attributable to diabetes - 276,400.0 467,218.4 -
Proportion of diabetes-related deaths in people 20-79 y, % - - 16.7 -
Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) (20-49 y)
Live births affected by HIP - - 3,555,155.3 -
Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), % - - 10.2 -
Live births affected by other types of diabetes first detected in pregnancy - - 627,026.2 -
Live births affected by other types of diabetes detected prior to pregnancy - - 1,085,508.4 -
Diabetes-related health expenditure
Total diabetes-related health expenditure, USD million - 10,900.0 34,661.3 49,774.6
Total diabetes-related health expenditure, ID million - - 109,233.8 160,240.8
Diabetes-related health expenditure per person, USD - 590.7 429.1 324.0
Diabetes-related health expenditure per person, ID - - 1,352.4 1,043.1
Type 1 diabetes estimates in children and adolescents
People with type 1 diabetes (all age groups) - - 1,410,471.0 -
People with type 1 diabetes (0-19 y) - - 394,172.0 -
Demographics
Total adult population (20-79 y), in 1,000s 219,800.0 356,000.0 480,221.9 772,796.0
Population of children and adolescents (0-19 y) - - 358,448,488.5 -
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Diabetes estimates (20-79 y)
People with diabetes, in 1,000s 17,007.6
Age-standardised prevalence of diabetes, % 7.7
Proportion of people with undiagnosed diabetes, % -
People with undiagnosed diabetes, in 1,000s -
Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG)
People with IFG, in 1,000s -
Age-standardised prevalence of IFG, % -
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)
People with IGT, in 1,000s -
Age-standardised prevalence of IGT, % -
Mortality attributable to diabetes (20-79 y)
Deaths attributable to diabetes -
Proportion of diabetes-related deaths in people 20-79 y, % -
Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) (20-49 y)
Live births affected by HIP -
Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), % -
Live births affected by other types of diabetes first detected in pregnancy -
Live births affected by other types of diabetes detected prior to pregnancy -
Diabetes-related health expenditure
Total diabetes-related health expenditure, USD million -
Total diabetes-related health expenditure, ID million -
Diabetes-related health expenditure per person, USD -
Diabetes-related health expenditure per person, ID -
Type 1 diabetes estimates in children and adolescents
People with type 1 diabetes (all age groups) -
People with type 1 diabetes (0-19 y) -
Demographics
Total adult population (20-79 y), in 1,000s 219,800.0
Population of children and adolescents (0-19 y) -