Diabetes: Australian facts

How many people are living with type 2 diabetes in Australia?

Almost 1.2 million (4.6%) Australians were living with type 2 diabetes and registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) and Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (APEG) state-based registers in 2021. 

Variation by age and sex

In 2021, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, based on linked NDSS and APEG data, increased with increasing age. Of the almost 1.2 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes, 3.1% were aged less than 40 while 59% were aged 65 or over. Type 2 diabetes prevalence peaked in the 80–84 age group (22% and 17% for males and females, respectively) (Figure 1).

Overall, the age-standardised prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 1.3 times as high in males compared with females.

Figure 1: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes, by age and sex, 2021

Trends over time

The number of people living with type 2 diabetes in Australia increased almost 3-fold between 2000 and 2021, from around 400,000 to almost 1.2 million, based on linked NDSS and APEG data.

After adjusting for differences in the age structure of the population, the proportion of people living with type 2 diabetes almost doubled between 2000 and 2013 and has remained relatively stable in the last decade (Figure 2). Since 2008, the age-standardised prevalence of type 2 diabetes has consistently been 1.3 times as high among males as females.

Similar patterns were found in the National Health Survey (NHS). The age-standardised prevalence of type 2 diabetes increased by 49% overall between 2001 and 2022 (Figure 3).

Note: The true prevalence of diabetes (including type 2 diabetes) is likely to be underestimated in the Australian population. For more information refer to Limitations of estimating diabetes prevalence data.

Figure 2: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes, by sex, 2000–2021

Variation by priority population groups

Remoteness area

In 2021, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (based on linked NDSS and APEG data) generally increased with increasing remoteness area. Age-standardised rates among people living in Remote and very remote areas were 1.4 and 1.5 times as high as those living in Major cities and Inner regional areas, respectively. This disparity was more pronounced among females than males (Figure 4).

See Geographical variation in disease: diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease for more information on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes by state/territory, Population Health Network and Population Health Area.

Socioeconomic area

In 2021, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (based on linked NDSS and APEG data) increased with the level of socioeconomic disadvantage. Age-standardised rates were almost twice as high among those living in the lowest socioeconomic areas as in the highest socioeconomic areas.  This disparity was more evident among females than males (2.1 and 1.7 times as high, respectively) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes, by priority population group and sex, 2021

For information for First Nations people see chapter for First Nations people.

How many people are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Australia?

According to linked NDSS and APEG data, over 1.3 million people were newly diagnosed (incidence) with type 2 diabetes between 2000 and 2021. This is approximately 60,400 people each year – an average of 165 newly diagnosed people a day.

There were just over 45,700 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Australia in 2021, around 125 people a day.

Variation by age and sex

In 2021, type 2 diabetes incidence rates were highest among males and females aged 65–69 according to linked NDSS and APEG data (515 and 383 per 100,000 population, respectively) (Figure 5).

After adjusting for the different age structures of the populations, type 2 diabetes incidence rates were 1.4 times as high among males as females.

Figure 5: Incidence of type 2 diabetes, by age and sex, 2021

Trends over time

There has been a steady decline in the age-standardised incidence rate for type 2 diabetes in Australia between 2000 and 2021, with an overall drop of 45% (Figure 6). Although evidence from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study as reported in The Lancet (2020), shows an overall increase in incidence globally, the observed declining trend has also been reported in a number of other countries (Magliano et al. 2019; Magliano et al. 2021). The fall in incidence may be due to improved preventive measures such as screening, increased awareness and educational programs leading to behavioural changes and risk factor modification (Magliano et al. 2019; Shrapnel and Butcher 2020).

Note: Some caution should be used when interpreting these trends. The NDSS is estimated to capture 80–90% of all people with diagnosed diabetes in Australia (AIHW 2009). It is uncertain how many people with diagnosed diabetes have not registered with the NDSS and how many people are living with undiagnosed diabetes. Additionally, First Nations people are under-represented on the NDSS.

Figure 6: Incidence of type 2 diabetes, by age and sex, 2000–2021

Variation by priority population groups

Remoteness area

Based on linked NDSS and APEG data, the incidence of type 2 diabetes in 2021 was slightly higher among those living in Outer regional areas, that is 1.1 and 1.2 times as high as those living in Major cities and Remote and very remote areas, respectively (Figure 7).

Socioeconomic area

In 2021, the incidence of type 2 diabetes (based on linked NDSS and APEG data) increased with increasing levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. Rates were around 2.0 times as high among those living in the lowest socioeconomic areas as in the highest socioeconomic areas (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Incidence of type 2 diabetes, by priority population group and sex, 2021

For information for First Nations people see chapter for First Nations people.