The Impact of Diabetes
Australia is facing a diabetes epidemic. The number of people living with diabetes in Australia has more than doubled in the last 20 years, creating major challenges for our community, our health system, and our economy.
The numbers
As of 2025, there are more than 1.5 million Australians are living with diabetes, with an estimated 500,000 additional people living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. A further 2 million Australians have pre-diabetes, and at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
That’s more than 4 million Australians living with or at high risk of diabetes.
And if nothing changes, the number of people living with diabetes will double again by 2050.
Type 2 diabetes makes up about 85–90% of all cases, while type 1 diabetes accounts for around 10%. Gestational diabetes is the fastest-growing type, with more than 45,000 women diagnosed each year, double the number from a decade ago.
Gestational diabetes is now affecting 1 in 6 pregnancies, half of whom will go on to develop type 2 diabetes within a decade. This not only impacts maternal health but also increases the risk of diabetes in future generations.
1 in 20 people are living with diabetes.
1 in 7 people are at high risk of developing diabetes.
1 in 6 pregnancies affected by diabetes
Who is most affected?
Diabetes does not discriminate, yet its impact is not felt equally across all populations. Social determinants of health – including socio-cultural factors, genetics, cultural background, and geographic remoteness – play a significant role in shaping both diabetes risk and outcomes.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Aboriginal adults are almost three times more likely to have diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians. In some remote regions, nearly one in four adults are living with diabetes.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities: People from Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds face higher risk due to genetic predisposition, dietary changes after migration, and barriers to accessing care.
Rural and remote areas: Limited access to healthcare and prevention programs means people in these regions often face worse outcomes.
Diabetes and the health system
Diabetes has a profound impact on the lives of people living with diabetes. Managing diabetes requires constant vigilance which can be a significant burden on individuals leading to burnout and diabetes distress. In the short term, fluctuations in blood glucose levels (hypo and hyperglycaemia) can cause symptoms of fatigue, blurred vision, and ketoacidosis.
In the long term, diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, certain cancers, and dementia – contributing to premature mortality and reduced quality of life.
Beyond individual health impacts, diabetes places a significant strain on the broader health system. 10% of all hospitalisations are attributed to diabetes, and Victorian research has found that 25-30% of people in hospital are living with the condition. The AIHW conservatively estimates the direct healthcare costs of treating diabetes is estimated at $3.4 billion annually, however this is likely to be an underestimation, which does not consider the costs of diabetes complications (e.g. cardiovascular and kidney disease) or other economic costs such as productivity.
The path forward
The good news is that the huge burden of diabetes, on individuals, our health system and our economy, can be effectively mitigated through effective research and strategic national investment. DIIF’s research priorities are focused on addressing the most critical knowledge gaps, in the areas that will make the biggest difference for people affected by diabetes.
If we act now – with prevention, early detection, and better support, we can change the future. If we don’t, the human and economic costs will only grow.