A new study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice provides updated global estimates of type 1 diabetes (T1D) prevalence, incidence, and mortality for 2025. The findings highlight the urgent need for preventive and therapeutic innovations to address this growing challenge.
According to the analysis, 9.5 million people worldwide are living with T1D in 2025, an increase from 8.4 million in 2021. Around 1.85 million of these individuals are under 20 years old. The study further projects that by 2040 the global number of T1D cases will rise to 14.7 million.
The burden is also reflected in mortality and life expectancy: premature deaths are estimated at 174,000 in 2025, with 17.2% of these due to non-diagnosis soon after clinical onset. The estimated remaining life expectancy of a 10-year-old child diagnosed with T1D in 2025 varies widely between countries, from as little as 6 years to as much as 66 years.
This rising prevalence underscores the significant health and socioeconomic burden of T1D, particularly in regions with high incidence rates. The results reinforce the importance of advancing new approaches in prevention, early diagnosis, and innovative treatments.