UAE diabetes cases could reach 1.9 million by 2050, costing economy Dh9 billion annually

Résumé détaillé

Stronger prevention measures could save 32,000 lives and Dh20 billion over 15 years The projected increase to 1.9 million cases by 2050 would represent a rise of approximately 46…

Stronger prevention measures could save 32,000 lives and Dh20 billion over 15 years

Dubai: The number of adults living with diabetes in the UAE could rise from 1.3 million to 1.9 million by 2050 if current trends continue, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has warned.

Figures released by the ministry on Saturday to coincide with World Diabetes Day showed that approximately one in five adults in the country has diabetes, which costs the national economy an estimated Dh9 billion annually.

The projected increase to 1.9 million cases by 2050 would represent a rise of approximately 46 per cent from current levels. The ministry stressed that the projected increase is not inevitable, pointing to the potential benefits of expanding prevention programmes and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

According to estimates highlighted by the ministry, strengthening preventive measures over the next 15 years could save approximately 32,000 lives, add 221,000 years of healthy life to the population and prevent around Dh20 billion in economic losses.

These benefits could be achieved through greater physical activity, improved care for people living with diabetes and policies that make healthier choices easier.

The UAE is implementing an updated National Diabetes and Obesity Control Plan for 2026–2030, aimed at shifting the country's healthcare approach from treating diseases after diagnosis towards preventing them and identifying risk factors at an earlier stage.

The plan prioritises early detection, preventive healthcare and continuity of care, while exploring the use of advanced technologies to predict the risk of metabolic disorders.

These technologies could help healthcare providers identify individuals at higher risk of developing diabetes, enabling earlier intervention and potentially reducing complications associated with the disease.

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