UAE diabetes cases could reach 1.9 million by 2050, costing economy Dh9 billion annually
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…
The Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE has warned that the number of adults living with diabetes could surge from 1.3 million to 1.9 million by 2050 if current trends persist. Presently, one in five adults in the country suffers from diabetes, which imposes a financial burden of about Dh9 billion annually on the national economy.
If the projected increase to 1.9 million cases by 2050 materializes, it would signify a 46% rise from current levels. However, the ministry cautions that this anticipated rise is not inevitable and highlights the potential advantages of expanding prevention programs and promoting healthier lifestyles. Strengthening preventive measures over the next 15 years could yield significant benefits, including the prevention of around 32,000 deaths, an additional 221,000 years of healthy life for the population, and a reduction of approximately Dh20 billion in economic losses.
Achieving these benefits would entail increased physical activity, enhanced care for individuals with diabetes, and policies that make healthier choices more accessible. In response to this looming health crisis, the UAE is implementing a revised National Diabetes and Obesity Control Plan for 2026–2030. This strategic initiative aims to shift the nation's healthcare paradigm from reactive disease treatment to proactive prevention and early detection.
The plan emphasizes early diagnosis, preventive healthcare, and continuous care while exploring advanced technologies to predict the risk of metabolic disorders. These technologies may assist healthcare providers in identifying individuals at higher risk, facilitating earlier intervention and potentially diminishing complications associated with diabetes.
To bolster preventive screening efforts nationwide, the ministry is reinforcing and standardizing programs such as the Abu Dhabi IFHAS program and the Emirates Health Services Etmenan screening initiative. The ultimate objective is to introduce mandatory preventive screening linked to health insurance requirements nationwide. The ministry underscores the critical role of regular health screenings, especially for those at heightened risk of developing diabetes.
It also stresses the necessity of heightened public awareness regarding risk factors and lifestyle modifications that can prevent or postpone the onset of Type 2 diabetes. As part of its comprehensive strategy, the UAE is enhancing programs aimed at improving diabetes management and mitigating complications through earlier diagnosis, medical follow-up, and sustained preventive care.
Moreover, initiatives will focus on women with a history of gestational diabetes, healthy lifestyle clinics, and early detection of metabolic disorders related to diabetes and obesity. Additional measures will target improving awareness of Type 1 diabetes, particularly among children, and expanding screening for those at greater risk.
On World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14, the ministry reiterated its commitment to mitigating the health and economic repercussions of diabetes through a proactive healthcare approach prioritizing prevention, early intervention, and enhanced quality of life. Recent data from the UAE indicates that female diabetes cases have surpassed male cases since 2025, a trend that places Kuwait at the forefront of diabetes prevalence in the Gulf region, surpassing 800,000 cases.
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