Statistics
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases, and the incidence is rising. Today, it is estimated that one in every 13 persons in Germany has diabetes. How many people suffer from the disease in Europe and throughout the world? How many will develop the disease in the future? Epidemiologists study how diseases are distributed in the population and which factors cause and influence diseases in order to find ways to cure the disease.
Diabetes in Germany
In Germany it is estimated that about six million people suffer from diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the incidence for men and women is very similar and is highest in the age group of 60- to 79-year-olds. The IDF estimates that by 2030 the number of people with diabetes will increase to 8 million, which corresponds to 13.5 percent.
Diabetes in Europe
With about 55 million people with diabetes in 2010, Europe ranks third among the world’s regions studied by the IDF. However, because Europe’s population is less, it ranks second percentage-wise with 8.6 percent. In 2030 Europe will keep its third-place in the overall ranking in absolute numbers with 66.5 million diabetics, and the second-place percentage ranking will stay at 10 percent.
Diabetes worldwide
According to IDF statistics, in 2010 there were 285 million people between the ages of 20 and 79 years with diabetes – 6.6 percent of the world’s population. In 2030 it is estimated that the number will rise to 438 million people, which corresponds to 7.8 percent.