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In Spain, the IDF Diabetes Atlas 2025 places impaired glucose tolerance at 7.1% and impaired fasting glucose at 5.5% for 2024, both age standardised. The report presents them as intermediate states of hyperglycaemia.
What do these prediabetes figures mean in Spain?
Prediabetes means that glucose levels are higher than normal, although they are not yet in the diabetes range. According to the guidelines of the Spanish Diabetes Society and SEPA (Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration), it is not described as a separate disease, but as a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Glucose monitoring
Why it might fit
- It can make it easier to review your readings.
- Visual reading helps to interpret each measurement.
- The app helps you review your records.
What should be valued
- It does not replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
That distinction matters because not all sources report the same thing. Some publish data on glucose intolerance or impaired fasting glucose, while others collect data on diabetes that has already been diagnosed or reported in surveys.
How does prediabetes in Spain compare to Europe?
In 2024, the European Atlas estimates glucose intolerance at 5.9% and impaired fasting glucose at 5.3%. Spain is above average in both indicators, with 7.1% and 5.5%.
Among large Western European countries, Spain ranks below France, Italy, and Germany in glucose intolerance, but above the United Kingdom. For impaired fasting glucose, all five share the same 5.5%.
What trend do the diabetes data show in Spain?
The IDF Atlas also allows us to see the evolution of the number of adults with diabetes in Spain. The estimate goes from 2.0 million in 2000 to 2.8 million in 2011 and 4.7 million in 2024.
In the same country profile, the projection for 2050 reaches 4.9 million. This figure describes a high and sustained burden, although the number refers to diabetes and cannot be directly applied to prediabetes.
The 2023 Spanish Health Survey indicates that reported diabetes reached 7.11 per 100,000 people. The same document shows that it almost doubled between 1993, when it was 4.11 per 100,000 people, and 2017, when it reached 7.81 per 100,000 people.
The survey adds that diabetes increases with age and shows a clear social divide. In the lowest social class, the reported prevalence was 8.21%, compared to 4.41% in the highest class.
How should we interpret these prediabetes figures in Spain?
These figures help to contextualize the problem, but they don't describe exactly the same thing, nor are they useful for interpreting an individual result. Therefore, it's always advisable to check which indicator each source uses before comparing percentages.
If a test mentions altered glucose, HbA1c in the prediabetes range or a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, the correct interpretation depends on the specific result and professional assessment.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Before starting or changing any treatment, consult a healthcare professional.
