The 15 Alarming Diabetes Statistics Australians Need To Know
Diabetes rates are increasing alarmingly across the world. Australia is not immune to this global epidemic. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have both reached all-time levels, with more than 1.7 million Australians diagnosed so far. The disease has spread so far that it is now the leading cause of hospitalisation and death in Australia.
We can’t do much to stop the rise in cases, but we can become more aware of what we are at risk of. Every Australian should be familiar with these 15 alarming diabetes statistics.
Diabetes Facts and Stats Australia
- Around 1.7 million Australians, or 6.6% of the total population, are affected by diabetes, including silent and undiagnosed type 2.
- Over 2,000,000 Australians are prediabetic, and another 555,000 suffer from undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes.
- One in two people with Type 2 Diabetes has difficulty sleeping due to unstable sugar levels.
- Pre-diabetes affects one in six Australians aged over 25.
- One in seven pregnant Australian women is affected by gestational diabetes.
- Every 5 minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with diabetes.
- Diabetes costs Australia approximately $14.6 billion per year.
- Diabetes was responsible for approximately 16,700 deaths, 10.50% of all deaths recorded in Australia.
- Australia has the second-highest rate of diabetic amputations in the developed world, with over 4,400 amputations per year.
- With the right lifestyle modifications, almost six out of ten Australians can reverse pre-diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes is the sixth leading cause of mortality in Australia.
- Australia ranks 7th in the world for type 1 diabetes rates.
- Indigenous Australians have a 4x higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
How Many Australians Have Diabetes?
More than 1.7 million Australians, 6.6% of the population, have diabetes. There are an estimated 2,000,000 Australians who are pre-diabetic. 127,000 have Type 1 diabetes, and 550,000 are Type 2 diabetics. Every day, 280 Australians are newly diagnosed.
Types of Diabetes in Australia
1. Type 1 Diabetes Accounts for at Least 10% of All Cases
About 127,000 Australians live with type 1 diabetes, accounting for 10–15% of all diabetes in Australia. There is no cure, and it cannot be prevented through lifestyle changes. Children are most likely to be affected. The incidence rate between 2000 and 2018 was 1.4 times greater for those aged 0–14 than for those aged 15–24.
2. Around 87% of Australia’s Diabetes is Type 2
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or when insulin doesn’t work effectively. It accounts for 87% of all Australian diabetics. Around 500,000 Australians have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. With lifestyle and dietary changes, almost 60% of type 2 cases can be prevented or delayed.
3. 5% of Pregnant Australian Women Have Gestational Diabetes
Women with gestational diabetes are also more likely to be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and hypertension. In 2016–17, over 40,800 women gave birth in hospitals with gestational diabetes.
4. Nearly 6 in 10 Australians Can Reverse Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are above normal but not enough to diagnose type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes can be reversed with lifestyle changes and weight reduction. Nearly 6 in 10 people will prevent type 2 diabetes from developing if they shed 7.5% of their body weight.
Diabetes Prevalence Among Adults
5. Type 2 Diabetes is Twice as Common in Obese Australian Men
Obese men have a 12% chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes compared to overweight men (6%) or those in the normal weight range (5%). Obese women (8%) are twice as likely to develop diabetes as women of normal weight (3%).
6. Diabetes is Three Times More Common in the Elderly
Type 2 diabetes becomes more prevalent with age. One in six adults over 65 reports the disease, and nearly one-fifth of all those over 85 are diagnosed. The risk is 3 times higher for people aged 65–74 than for those 45–54 years old.
Australia vs The World
7. Australia Ranks 55th in the World for Diabetes
In 2013, diabetes was responsible for 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Australia ranked 55th for the total number of diabetics in 2021. The top three countries were China, India and the USA.
8. Australia has the seventh-highest rate of Type 1 Diabetes globally
Finland had the highest rate of type 1 diabetes in 2013, with 57.6 people per 100,000. Australia ranked 7th with 22.5 people per 100,000.
9. Indigenous Australians Face a Disproportionate Burden
Indigenous Australians are four times more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, approximately 7.9% or 64,100 Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal women are twice as likely to have gestational diabetes, and Aboriginal children are 8 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to have the disease.
10. Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are Increasing in Children
Around 11,000 Australian teenagers and children have diabetes, the majority type 1. However, type 2 is increasing in young people; there are nearly 1,000 children and adolescents aged 20 and under with type 2 diabetes in Australia.
The Health and Economic Impact of Diabetes
11. Type 2 Diabetes is the Sixth Leading Cause of Death in Australia
Over 1,000 diabetics died in 2005 as a result of foot wounds and lower leg injuries, accounting for approximately 8% of all diabetes-related deaths. Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed as diabetic, over 300 people a day.
12. Diabetes Complications Drive Thousands of Hospitalisations
There are around 10,000 hospital admissions per year for diabetic foot ulcers alone. In 2017–2018, preventable diabetes complication hospitalisations increased by 4%. In one year, diabetes complications led to 76,800 hospital days.
13. Australia Has the Second-Highest Diabetic Amputation Rate in the Developed World
Diabetes causes more than 4,400 amputations in Australia every year. In 2011, 1.7% of people with diabetes had their lower limbs amputated, approximately 12,300 people.
14. Diabetes Costs Australia $14.6 Billion Per Year
Amputations due to diabetes cost an average of $23,555 each, totalling over $103 million annually. The Australian healthcare system spends $1.6 billion per year on diabetic foot disease alone. Type 1 diabetics pay an average of $4,669 annually out of pocket, rising to $16,698 with complications.
What Can Australians Do?
While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through healthy lifestyle choices. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and attending regular health check-ups can significantly reduce your risk. If you’ve been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, working with your doctor to implement lifestyle changes can reverse the condition and prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
Australia’s diabetes statistics paint a concerning picture, but there is reason for hope. With greater awareness and early intervention, many cases of type 2 diabetes are entirely preventable. For those already diagnosed, proper management can significantly reduce the risk of complications, hospitalisations, and the devastating economic and personal costs of this disease. Understanding these statistics is the first step toward better health outcomes for all Australians.
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