Denmark sees record diabetes cases with 78 daily diagnoses in 2023

Denmark recorded its highest-ever number of diabetes cases last year, with 78 people diagnosed daily, according to a new report from the Danish Diabetes Association (Diabetesforeningen) released on Denmark’s Diabetes Day.

The report shows 384,600 Danes now live with diabetes, equivalent to 7.1 percent of the population. Of these, 348,500 have type 2 diabetes, while 36,100 have type 1, the association stated.

Claus Richter, CEO of the Diabetes Association, described the trend as “witnessing a slow-motion traffic accident,” driven primarily by rising type 2 diabetes cases. “We’ve seen this development for many years, but it’s still surprising to reach 384,600 Danes—the highest number ever,” he said.

The increase is attributed to longer lifespans and lifestyle factors, including high consumption of ultra-processed foods, overweight rates exceeding 50 percent, and insufficient physical activity, Richter explained. “Collectively, this pushes toward a development where more people develop type 2 diabetes.”

Sharp regional disparities

The data reveals significant geographic variation. In municipalities with the lowest rates, such as Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Aalborg, 4–6 percent of residents have type 2 diabetes. In contrast, areas like Ishøj and Lolland report rates around 11 percent.

Some municipalities, including Middelfart, Assens, and Billund, have seen type 2 diabetes cases surge over 60 percent between 2015 and 2025. While aging populations partly explain the rise, education and employment levels also play a role, Richter noted.

“This demands more systematic efforts from municipalities, regions, and health councils—both to prevent new cases and to better support those already diagnosed,” he said.

Call for prevention and early intervention

Though diabetes is chronic, many manage it through diet, exercise, and medication. Untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including heart and kidney disease, nerve damage, amputations, and premature death, Richter warned.

He urged broader societal action: “We must make healthy choices more affordable and set goals for increasing healthy life years. We also need better screening to identify at-risk individuals earlier and help them change habits before diabetes develops.”