Diabetes Around the World in 2026, and How Small Businesses Can Support Employee Health

Updated October 2026

Our original version of this page listed the countries with the highest diabetes rates. This updated version shares the latest global statistics from the International Diabetes Federation, then looks at something every employer can act on: how small businesses can support employee health in practical, affordable and respectful ways.

Diabetes around the world: the latest figures

According to the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition (2025):

Middle-income countries have the highest prevalence on average, followed by high-income and then low-income countries. Prevalence rises sharply with age, reaching nearly a quarter of adults aged 75 to 79.

Countries with the most cases

By total number of adults with diabetes, the largest populations are in China (about 148 million) and India (about 90 million), with Pakistan, the United States, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia also among the 20 countries with the most cases. When measured by the percentage of adults affected, some of the highest rates are found in Pacific island nations and parts of the Middle East and South Asia. Rankings vary by edition and methodology, so check the IDF Atlas for country-level data.

Why it matters for employers

Diabetes and related conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease affect millions of working-age adults. For small businesses, health affects:

• Absences and productivity.
• Health insurance costs for employers that offer coverage.
• Employee wellbeing and retention.

In the US, the CDC reports that tens of millions of adults have diabetes, and many more have prediabetes, often without knowing it. Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes, which is where workplace support can help.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Employees should talk to their healthcare providers about their own health.

Low-cost workplace wellness ideas

You don’t need a big budget to support employee health:

Make healthy choices easier

• Offer water and healthy snacks alongside, or instead of, sugary options in break rooms.
• Choose balanced options for catered meetings and events.
• Provide a fridge and microwave so employees can bring meals from home.

Encourage movement

• Walking meetings and short movement breaks.
• Standing desk options where practical.
• Team challenges, such as step competitions, kept friendly and optional.
• Bike racks and showers if space allows.

Support preventive care

• Encourage regular checkups and screenings, and allow time off for medical appointments.
• Promote the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, a lifestyle change program offered in person and online for people at risk of type 2 diabetes, often covered by insurance.
• Host a health fair or screening event with a local clinic or pharmacy.

Reduce stress

• Reasonable workloads and schedules.
• Respect breaks and time off.
• Mental health support such as an employee assistance program. See our guide to managing stress and anxiety.

Choose good benefits

• Health insurance with preventive care coverage, if you offer insurance.
• Health savings or flexible spending accounts.
• Ask your insurer or broker about included wellness programs, which many plans offer at no extra cost.

Building a healthy workplace culture

Programs work best when they’re part of everyday culture rather than one-off campaigns:

• Lead by example: owners and managers who take breaks, eat well and use their time off make it acceptable for everyone.
• Ask employees what they want: simple surveys reveal which ideas people will actually use.
• Keep it inclusive: offer options for different ages, abilities and interests, and never single anyone out.
• Make it social: group walks, team lunches with healthy options and shared challenges build connection as well as health.
• Celebrate participation, not weight loss or health results, which can feel intrusive.
• Review once a year: keep what works, drop what doesn’t, and try something new.

Supporting employees who have diabetes

Employees with diabetes may need simple accommodations, such as:

• Breaks to check blood sugar, take medication or eat.
• Permission to keep snacks, water and supplies at their workstation.
• A private space for testing or injections, if requested.
• Flexible scheduling for medical appointments.

Diabetes can be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires many employers to provide reasonable accommodations. Keep medical information confidential and follow ADA rules. See our guide to hiring your first employee.

Wellness for shift workers and physical jobs

Restaurants, retail, healthcare, warehouses and trades have their own health challenges, such as long shifts, irregular meals and physical strain. Ideas that fit these workplaces:

• Predictable schedules where possible, with enough time between shifts to rest.
• Proper meal breaks, and staff meals with balanced options in food businesses.
• Water stations and reminders to stay hydrated in hot environments.
• Ergonomic tools and lifting training to prevent injuries.
• Rest areas away from customers.
• Access to healthcare through benefits or information about community clinics.

Wellness for solo owners

If you work alone, your health is the business’s most important asset. Schedule regular checkups, protect time for movement and meals, set boundaries on working hours, and plan for coverage if you’re ever sick. A healthier owner makes better decisions and can serve customers for years to come.

Measuring whether wellness efforts work

Keep it simple and respectful of privacy:

Never collect or share individual health information without proper safeguards and legal advice.

The cost of chronic disease

According to the IDF, diabetes accounted for more than $1 trillion in global health spending in 2024. For employers, chronic conditions can raise insurance premiums, increase absences and reduce productivity. Small, consistent wellness efforts won’t solve these problems alone, but they can help employees build healthier habits and show that the business cares about its people.

Keep wellness programs fair and legal

Wellness programs must follow federal rules:

• Participation should be voluntary, without penalties for opting out.
• Health information must stay confidential and separate from personnel files.
• Avoid programs that pressure employees or discriminate based on health status.
• Incentive rules apply to programs that collect medical information or tie rewards to health outcomes; get advice before offering large incentives.

The EEOC and Department of Labor publish guidance on wellness programs under federal law.

Partnering with your community

Small businesses can extend their wellness efforts by partnering locally:

• Local gyms and studios may offer group discounts for employees.
• Pharmacies and clinics sometimes provide on-site screenings or flu shot events.
• Community health organizations offer free classes on nutrition, cooking and diabetes prevention.
• Parks and recreation departments run low-cost fitness programs.

These partnerships cost little and connect employees with resources they might not find on their own.

Example: a small office starts a wellness program

A 15-person design firm swaps candy for fruit and nuts in the kitchen, starts optional walking meetings, gives employees two hours of paid time for annual checkups, and shares information about a free online diabetes prevention program covered by its health plan. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Employees appreciate the changes, and the cost is minimal.

This example is illustrative.

Frequently asked questions

How many people worldwide have diabetes? About 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 in 2024, according to the IDF Diabetes Atlas.

Which country has the most people with diabetes? China, with about 148 million adults, followed by India with about 90 million, according to the IDF Diabetes Atlas.

Is type 2 diabetes preventable? In many cases it can be prevented or delayed through healthy eating, physical activity and weight management, as supported by programs like the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program.

What is prediabetes? Prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range. Many people with prediabetes don’t know they have it; a healthcare provider can test for it.

Can small businesses offer wellness programs? Yes. Many low-cost ideas, such as healthy snacks, movement breaks and time off for checkups, work well for small teams.

Next steps

Read our guides to keeping your workplace healthy, managing stress and anxiety and what employees want from a job offer.

Statistics are from the IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition. This page is general information, not medical or legal advice.

Sources

1. International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes facts and figures (IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition, 2025)
2. IDF Diabetes Atlas 11th edition, global and national estimates (published December 2025)
3. CDC, National Diabetes Prevention Program
4. US EEOC, Wellness programs and the ADA

Last reviewed October 20, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.