Around 34.5 million people in Pakistan are living with diabetes, making the disease a growing public health challenge, according to Minister of State for National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Malik.
The figure was highlighted ahead of World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14. The issue is of particular concern for Pakistan, where diabetes has become a major health challenge.
According to a report by ARY News, the minister said approximately 34.5 million people in the country were affected by the disease.
Conflicting Estimates of Diabetes Cases
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has reported a different estimate, placing the number of people with diabetes in Pakistan at around 20 million.
According to the IDF’s 2025 report, Pakistan ranked first globally in age-adjusted diabetes prevalence among adults aged 20 to 79 in 2024.
The report put the prevalence rate at approximately 31.4 per cent, meaning nearly one in three adults in the relevant age group was living with diabetes.
The report also estimated that 537 million adults worldwide were living with diabetes, with the number projected to exceed 640 million by 2030.
Pakistan’s Sugar Consumption
The report also cited data from Protectivity.com, which placed Pakistan at 28th globally in per-capita sugar consumption.
According to the website, each person in Pakistan consumes an average of 26 kilograms of sugar annually, equivalent to approximately two kilograms per month or 72 grams per day.
Understanding the Two Main Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is broadly divided into two main types:
Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leaving the body unable to produce insulin.
Type 2 diabetes: A condition in which blood glucose levels become too high. Lifestyle changes can help delay its onset or reduce its severity in many people.
Genetic and environmental factors contribute to diabetes risk. A healthy diet and physically active lifestyle can help people maintain healthier blood sugar levels.