Diabetes in Canada: An interactive report on key statistics: Outcomes

Interactive data visualizations of select diabetes complications and other health outcomes.

  • Last updated: 2025-11-20

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Key highlights

Diabetes complications

Over time, diabetes can impact the body from head to toe. It may cause a variety of complications and can lead to hospitalizations if not managed. Complications include:

Diabetes and co-occurring conditions

Diabetes may also be present with other conditions (co-occurring conditions). People living with any chronic condition, such as diabetes, are more likely to live with more than one condition. The risk of living with multiple conditions increases with ageFootnote 1. As Canada's population grows and ages, these conditions are an important area of interest for public health.

Co-occurring conditions can be related to diabetes but may have occurred before the diabetes diagnosis. Evidence suggests that diabetes is an independent risk factor for other chronic conditions such as heart diseaseFootnote 2 and dementiaFootnote 3. Co-occurring conditions can be associated with worse health outcomes. They often need more complex healthcare management.

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Cartoon image of a head in which the brain is hightlighted.

Diabetes and mental health

Diabetes and mental health influence each other in complex ways. Diabetes may lead to poor mental health from the stress of managing the condition. Individuals living with diabetes may also experience stigma. On the other hand, mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, influence behaviours like healthy eating and physical activityFootnote 4. This can increase the risk of diabetes or contribute to poorer diabetes management.

Cartoon image of a clipboard and a vial half-filled with liquid.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

When the body lacks insulin it is forced to use alternative sources of energy, such as fat. This can cause a buildup of toxic acidic wastes (called ketones) in the blood and urine. This condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It can be life-threatening and therefore constitutes a medical emergency. It is more common in individuals with type 1 diabetes, but can also occur in individuals with type 2Footnote 7. In 2023-2024, over 15,000 individuals aged 1 year and older were hospitalized with DKA.

Cartoon image of a drop of blood falling from someone's finger onto a glucose monitor.

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia

If not well managed, diabetes results in consistent hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). Over time, hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels and nerves. It can also damage organs such as the kidneys, eyes and heart, resulting in serious complications.

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) occurs when there's too much insulin or diabetes medication in the body. In severe cases, immediate medical attention is needed.

Cartoon image of kidneys.

Kidney damage

Kidney damage is a serious complication of diabetes. Overtime, hyperglycemia can lead to damage of blood vessels in the kidneys. Persistent damage of these blood vessels results in early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This can progress to end-stage renal disease (kidney failure). Early stages of CKD may be silent, with few signs or symptoms. In some cases, CKD is only diagnosed in advanced stages. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in CanadaFootnote 7.

In 2023–2024, about 42,205 adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * were hospitalized for chronic kidney disease. This is 2.6 times more often than those without diabetes.

In 2023–2024, about 4,570 adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * were hospitalized for end-stage kidney disease. This is 3.9 times more often than those without diabetes.

Cartoon image of a human eye.

Eye damage

Overtime, hyperglycemia can lead to damage of blood vessels in the eyes. In Canada, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss and disability in people under 50. Visual impairment is roughly 2 times higher among those with diabetes, compared to those withoutFootnote 8.

Cartoon image of a human leg from the side.

Lower extremity complications

Lower extremities are parts of the body below the hip. Diabetes can reduce blood flow to nerves in the lower extremities and cause nerve damage. Without enough blood to provide oxygen, nerve structure and function are impacted. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. It causes numbness and inability to perceive pain or injury. This can lead to foot ulcerations.

Evidence shows that only 53% of individuals in Canada reported seeing a healthcare provider for an annual foot checkFootnote 10. From 2020–2021 to 2022–2023, among individuals with diabetes, there were around 23,500 hospitalizations for lower limb ulcers, gangrene, and infections per yearFootnote 11.

In 2023–2024, about 7,605 adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * were hospitalized for a lower limb amputation. This is 17.3 times more often than those without diabetes.

Cartoon image of a pregnant individual with a baby highlighted in their womb.

Pregnancy complications

In 2022, almost 12% of hospital deliveries in Canada (excluding Quebec) were to individuals with pre-existing or gestational diabetesFootnote 13. Hospital deliveries include live and still births. Diabetes during pregnancy can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Complications may include poor infant health outcomes.

Preterm birth

Pregnant individuals living with type 1 diabetes have over 2.5 times higher risk of preterm birth (before 34 weeks). Compared to pregnant individuals without diabetes, this risk is almost:

  • 2.2 times higher in pregnant individuals with type 2 diabetes
  • 1.1 times higher in pregnant individuals with gestational diabetesFootnote 14

Perinatal mortality

Perinatal mortality is a stillbirth or death of a newborn. Compared to pregnant individuals without diabetes, the risk of perinatal mortality is:

  • 3.5 times higher in pregnant individuals living with type 1 diabetes
  • 4.6 times higher in pregnant individuals living with type 2 diabetes
  • slightly increased in pregnant individuals with gestational diabetesFootnote 14
Cartoon image of a virus cell.

Infectious and respiratory diseases

People living with diabetes are higher risk of complications from infectious respiratory diseases, like flu and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) may disrupt the immune system and lead to serious infectionFootnote 9. Diagnosis and control of diabetes is important to prevent severe outcomes.

Cartoon image of a hospital building.

Mortality

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Canada. More than 7,200 deaths were attributed to diabetes in 2023Footnote 12

Cartoon image of a heart with the typical electrocardiogram depiction of a heartbeat on top of it.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease

People living with diabetes have a higher risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure) and other cardiovascular problems. High blood glucose levels can damage the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. The need for more insulin due to higher insulin resistance can also lead to the development of fatty deposits or plaque in the arteriesFootnote 5.

Cartoon image of a human brain as seen from above.

Diabetes and dementia

The relationship between diabetes and dementia is complex. Evidence suggests that diabetes is an independent risk factor for dementia. Having diabetes mid-life is a risk factor for dementia in later lifeFootnote 3. The longer an individual lives with diabetes, the greater their risk of developing dementia as they age. This is especially true if diabetes is poorly managedFootnote 6. The reasons for this relationship are being explored.

All-cause mortality

Individuals with diabetes are more likely to die of any cause than those without diabetes. The all-cause mortality rate among individuals living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * was 1,131 per 100,000 individuals in 2023–2024. This is almost twice the rate of those without diabetes (593 per 100,000 individuals). The all-cause mortality rate in those with diabetes was higher in males than females (1,253 per 100,000 compared to 1,000 per 100,000).

Mood and anxiety disorders

Examples of mood and anxiety disorders include:

  • depression
  • bipolar disorder
  • mania
  • dysthymia
  • a phobia
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • panic disorder

Ischemic heart disease

In 2023–2024, about 90,195 adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * were hospitalized for ischemic heart disease. This is 3.0 times more often than those without diabetes.

Heart failure

In 2023–2024, about 71,675 adults aged 40 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * were hospitalized for heart failure. This is 3.1 times more often than those without diabetes.

Between 2019 and 2020, among adults aged 18 years and older living with diabetesFootnote ‡Footnote *:

  • 16.2% lived with a mood or anxiety disorderFootnote ¤, compared to 14.2% of those without diabetes

Among adults living with diabetes and with a mood or anxiety disorder:

  • there was a greater proportion of females (56.7%) than males (43.3%)
  • 78.7% were aged 50 years and older

Mental health (perceived)

Between 2019 and 2020, among adults aged 18 years and older living with diabetesFootnote ‡Footnote *:

  • 10.5% had poor or fair mental healthFootnote ¤, compared to 8.9% of those without diabetes.

Among adults living with diabetes who had poor or fair mental healthFootnote ¤:

  • there was a similar proportion of males (50.7%) and females (49.3%)
  • 76.5% were aged 50 years and older

The all-cause mortality rate for females living with diabetes was almost 2.0 times higher than for those without diabetes. The all-cause mortality rate for males living with diabetes was about 1.8 times higher than for those without diabetes.

In 2023–2024, among adults aged 40 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote *:

  • 10.4% of these adults also had diagnosed heart failure
  • there was a greater proportion of males living with both diabetes and heart failure than females, across all age groups
  • in both sexes, the 80 years and older age group had the highest proportion of adults living with diabetes and heart failure

In 2023–2024, among adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote *:

  • 25.9% of these adults also had ischemic heart disease
  • there was a greater proportion of males living with diabetes and ischemic heart disease than females, across all age groups
  • in both sexes, those aged 80 years and older had the highest proportion of adults living with diabetes and ischemic heart disease

Hypertension

In 2023–2024, among adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote *:

  • 67.4% also had diagnosed hypertension
  • before age 65, a greater proportion of males were living with both diabetes and hypertension
  • after age 80, more females than males were living with both conditions
  • in both sexes, the 80 years and older age group had the highest proportion of adults living with diabetes and hypertension

Stroke

In 2023-2024, about 30,390 adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote * were hospitalized for stroke. This is 2.3 times more often than those without diabetes.

In 2023–2024, in adults aged 20 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote *:

  • 8.7% of these adults were also diagnosed with stroke
  • in both sexes, the 90 years and over age group had the highest proportion of adults living with diabetes and stroke
  • across age groups over 50 years old, there was a greater proportion of males with diabetes and stroke than females

In 2023–2024, among adults aged 65 years and older living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote *:

  • 8.0% of these adults had both diagnosed diabetesFootnote †Footnote * and dementia
  • in both sexes, the 90 years and older age group had the highest proportion of adults living with diabetesFootnote †Footnote *
  • there was a greater proportion of females living with diabetes and dementia than males across age groups over 70 years old

Figure 1:

Data source:

Figure 1: Text description
Figure 1: Notes

Definitions

Reference *

Types of diabetes are combined. Gestational diabetes is excluded from the estimates presented. Undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes estimates are not considered in the calculation of the prevalence of diabetes.

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Reference †

Diabetes (diagnosed): Individuals with at least one inpatient hospital separation or at least two physician claims within two years with an ICD-9(-CM) or ICD-10-CA code for diabetes.

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Reference ‡

Diabetes (self-reported): Individuals who self-reported being diagnosed with diabetes by a healthcare professional.

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Reference §

Diabetes (self-reported, measured, medication use): Individuals who self-reported being diagnosed with diabetes, took blood glucose lowering medications in the past month or had an A1C level greater or equal to 6.5%.

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Reference ¥

Diabetes (undiagnosed): Individual who did not self-report being diagnosed with diabetes, did not take blood glucose lowering medications in the past month and had hemoglobin A1C level greater or equal to 6.5%.

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Reference Ф

Prediabetes: Individual who did not self-report being diagnosed with diabetes, did not take blood glucose lowering medications and had hemoglobin A1C level of ≤ 6.0% and < 6.5%.

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Reference ¤

Self-reported measures.

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References

Reference 1

Violan C, Foguet-Boreu Q, Flores-Mateo G, et al. Prevalence, determinants and patterns of multimorbidity in primary care: a systematic review of observational studies. PLoS One. 2014; 9(7):e102149. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0102149

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Reference 2

Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration, Sarwar N, Gao P, et al. Diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose concentration, and risk of vascular disease: a collaborative meta-analysis of 102 prospective studies. Lancet. 2010;375(9733):2215-2222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60484-9

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Reference 3

Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024;404(10452):572-628. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/fulltext

Return to reference 3 referrer

Reference 4

Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Working Group: et al. Diabetes and Mental Health. Can J Diabetes. 2023; 47(4): 308-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2023.04.009

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Reference 5

Ahmad E, Lim S, Lamptey R, Webb DR, Davies MJ. Type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 2022;400(10365):1803-1820. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01655-5

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Reference 6

Barbiellini Amidei C, Fayosse A, Dumurgier J, et al. Association Between Age at Diabetes Onset and Subsequent Risk of Dementia. JAMA. 2021;325(16):1640–1649. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779197

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Reference 7

Diabetes Canada. 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2018; 42(Suppl 1):S1-S325. Available from: http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/cpg

Return to reference 7 referrer

Reference 8

Im, J.H.B., Trope, G.E., Buys, Y.M., et al. Prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among people in Canada with and without diabetes: findings from population-based surveys from 1994 to 2014. CMAJ Open. 2023; 11(6): E1125–E1134. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20220116

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Reference 9

Public Health Agency of Canada. Advisory Committee Statement: Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2022–2023 [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada; 2022 [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: http://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/canadian-immunization-guide-statement-seasonal-influenza-vaccine-2022-2023.html#l1fna

Return to reference 9 referrer

Reference 10

Patel, J., Zamzam A., Muzammil, S., et al. A Scoping Review of Foot Screening in Adults With Diabetes Mellitus Across Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2022; 46(5):435-440.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2022.01.004

Return to reference 10 referrer

Reference 11

Canadian Institute for Health Information. Equity in diabetes care: A focus on lower limb amputation [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 September 18]. Available from: https://www.cihi.ca/en/equity-in-diabetes-care-a-focus-on-lower-limb-amputation

Return to reference 11 referrer

Reference 12

Statistics Canada. Leading causes of death, total population, by age group. [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Statistics Canada; 2025 [cited 2025 July 21]. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310039401

Return to reference 12 referrer

Reference 13

Public Health Agency of Canada.: Perinatal Health Indicators Data Tool, 2020 Edition. Public Health Infobase. [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada; 2020 [cited 2024 March 22]. Available from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/phi/data-tool/index?Dom=1

Return to reference 13 referrer

Reference 14

Metcalfe, A., Sabr, Y., Hutcheon, J.A., et al. Trends in Obstetric Intervention and Pregnancy Outcomes of Canadian Women With Diabetes in Pregnancy From 2004 to 2015. J Endocr Soc. 2017; 1(12): 1540-1549. https://doi.org/10.1210/js.2017-00376

Return to reference 14 referrer

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