Rise in proportion of Australians with diabetes

Media Release
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Released
31/03/2025
Source
National Health Measures Survey, 2022-24

One in 15 adults (6.6 per cent) have diabetes, up from one in 20 (5.1 per cent) a decade earlier, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

James Mowle, ABS head of health statistics, said: ‘Males are more likely to have diabetes than females. And adults living in the most disadvantaged areas are more likely to have diabetes than those in the least disadvantaged areas.’

Older people are more likely to have diabetes than younger people. Another 2.7 per cent of adults are at high risk of diabetes.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a fasted blood sample was collected.
  2. Includes people who had known diabetes and those with newly diagnosed diabetes.

Nearly a third of adult Australians (30.2 per cent) have high total cholesterol, down from 33.2 per cent in 2011–12. Females (32.1 per cent) are more likely to have high cholesterol than males (28.2 per cent).

The survey also revealed that one in five adults (20.6 per cent) have a vitamin D deficiency, which is more likely to occur in winter than summer (since sun exposure is one way of getting the vitamin) and varied significantly by state.

‘Results showed 26.1 per cent of Australian adults are vitamin D deficient in winter, compared to 15.5 per cent in summer. We know that vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium effectively, which is important for bone health and muscle function. A severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to brittle and fragile bones.’ Mr. Mowle said.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.
  2. The proportions for 'Summer' and 'Winter' have high margins of error and should be used with caution.

Media notes

  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • The ABS’ National Health Measures Survey (NHMS) 2022–24 is the second iteration of this survey. The previous survey was in 2011–12. This voluntary survey involves testing blood and urine samples for health risk factors and health conditions. Some of the changes over time may be due to factors such as population ageing or equipment updates.
  • The diabetes prevalence classification in the NHMS uses a combination of blood test results, self-reported diabetes diagnosis and medication use. Diabetes prevalence figures in this media release were calculated using the fasting plasma glucose test. It is not possible to distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the NHMS. More information is available in the National Health Measures Survey 2022–24 methodology.
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