UK Diabetes Statistics 2026

Diabetes has become one of the UK's most significant public health challenges. Over 5.6 million people in the UK have diabetes, with a further 13.6 million at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of all cases and is strongly linked to obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet. It is increasingly affecting younger age groups — the number of people under 40 diagnosed with type 2 has more than doubled in the past decade.

Diabetes costs the NHS approximately £10.7 billion per year — around 10% of the entire NHS budget. The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has referred over 1 million people since launching in 2016.

How many people have diabetes in the UK?

Over 5.6 million people in the UK have diabetes. Around 4.4 million have been diagnosed in England. Around 1.2 million are estimated to have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. A further 13.6 million adults are at high risk.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 is an autoimmune condition affecting around 8% of UK diabetics, typically requiring daily insulin injections. Type 2 is where the body becomes resistant to insulin, often linked to obesity, and accounts for 90% of cases.

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?

Yes — type 2 diabetes can be put into remission through significant weight loss, typically 10-15kg. The NHS DiRECT trial showed around half of participants achieved remission through an 800-calorie liquid diet programme.

How much does diabetes cost the NHS?

Diabetes costs the NHS approximately £10.7 billion per year — around 10% of the total NHS budget. Around 80% of diabetes NHS costs are for managing complications.

Is diabetes becoming more common in the UK?

Yes. The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in England has more than doubled from around 1.9 million in 2000 to over 4.4 million today, driven by rising obesity prevalence.