Learn About Diabetes at Health and Care

4.5 million people in the UK live with diabetes, which equates to 6% of the population. Type 1 diabetes makes up 10% of that total, with 90% of diabetics suffering from Type 1 diabetes. 

56% of sufferers are men, while 44% of sufferers are women.

Diabetes by Age Group

0 - 9 years old: 0.23%

10 - 18 years old: 1.06%

20 - 29 years old: 1.88%

30 - 39 years old: 3.65%

40 - 49 years old: 10.09%

50 - 59 years old: 19.2%

60 - 69 years old: 26.33%

70 - 79 years old: 24.24%

80+ years old: 13.34%

Diabetes Figures Around the UK

Lots of countries around the world experience high rates of diabetes,  including the UK. 

England: 2.9 million people

Scotland: 271 thousand people

Wales: 183 thousand people

Northern Ireland: 85 thousand people

Impact on the Body

Within twenty years, most diabetics will have some degree of retinopathy (eye disease).

Around three in four people with diabetes will develop kidney disease.

Women with diabetes are five times more likely to have a pre-term birth.

Forms of neuropathy (nerve damage) affect up to 50% of diabetics.

Diabetics have a 94% increased risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetics are thirty times more likely to have an amputation.

Causes of Diabetes

More than 85% of Type 1 occurs in individuals with no previous family history of diabetes.

16% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes during their second or third trimester.

Smoking can be a risk factor to insulin resistance, which can contribute to diabetes.

Excessive alcohol consumption can reduce sensitivity to insulin, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Having a BMI of 25 or over can increase your chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by 80%.

The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age, particularly after 40 years old.