A recent report shows that one in every two individuals tested in India exhibit elevated blood sugar levels. This finding stems from over four million diagnostic records and 19 million medicine orders collected between January 2021 and September 2025 across 29 states and Union Territories. According to The Economic Times, the scale and scope of the data make the insight difficult to ignore.
Age & Gender Patterns Emerging
The data reveals distinct patterns by age and gender. On the gender front, 51.9% of men and 45.43% of women who were tested showed high blood sugar levels. Notably, men appear to develop conditions earlier, whereas women experience a sharper increase after menopause.
Age-wise, the report points out that the condition has spread beyond older adults. Even among people under 30, a significant share tested positive for elevated levels. Meanwhile, after age 60, about 8 in 10 individuals had diabetic or pre-diabetic readings.
Regional Variation Across India
Regionally, the burden isn’t uniform. Southern and coastal regions such as Puducherry (63 %), Odisha (61 %), Tamil Nadu (56 %) and Goa (54 %) recorded higher proportions of high-blood-sugar individuals. In contrast, a state like Himachal Pradesh reported a lower rate around 41 %.
Associated Health Risks
Furthermore, the report underscores that elevated blood sugar rarely stands alone. Among those with high blood sugar:
- One in four had thyroid problems.
- One in three faced liver issues.
- Nearly half showed kidney impairment.
- About 90% had abnormal cholesterol levels.
Why This Demands Attention Now
Given these trends, the landscape of diabetes and pre-diabetes is changing rapidly. Instead of being an issue only for older adults, it now affects younger age groups and varies by region and gender. For prevention to be effective, early awareness and screening are crucial—particularly since many may be unaware of their risk.