According to the data cited in the study, more than 1.1 million adults and 5,000 children in Hungary are living with diabetes, most with type 2. The disease is linked to a disorder in the functioning of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose in the blood enter the cells, where it is used as energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or when cells no longer respond properly to it, blood sugar levels rise and can damage the body over the long term.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells, leaving the body unable to produce enough insulin. It most often appears in childhood or young adulthood and requires lifelong insulin replacement. Type 2 diabetes, by contrast, typically develops in adulthood and is closely linked to insulin resistance, a condition in which cells become less sensitive to insulin. The pancreas may initially try to compensate by producing more insulin, but over time, it can become exhausted, leading to persistently high blood sugar levels.
“Type 2 diabetes often progresses almost unnoticed for a long time. Years can pass between the first metabolic abnormalities and the diagnosis,” says Dr. Mónika Szűcs, internal medicine specialist and diabetologist at Affidea Hungary.
Szűcs says that by the time the classic symptoms appear, fasting blood sugar levels are often persistently above 10 mmol/l, compared with a normal level of around 3.9-5.5 mmol/l. These symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision and slower wound healing. In many cases, the disease is only recognized once complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nervous system or cardiovascular system are already present.
“This is why regular, targeted screening is crucial, especially for those who are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle or have a family history of the disease,” Szűcs added.
The number of diagnosed diabetes cases in Hungary has been rising steadily over the past five to 10 years, according to Affidea. Citing data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, it says the prevalence of diabetes among adults has more than doubled over the past two decades.
Between 2001 and 2023, the number of diabetics per 10,000 inhabitants rose from 585 to 1,462. This reflects both an actual increase in prevalence and more cases being detected through targeted screening or routine medical examinations.
Specialists are also seeing a clear age-related shift. Type 2 diabetes is no longer considered a disease affecting only older age groups. The most dynamic increase is being observed among people aged 40-60, while more young adults are also being diagnosed with the condition.
Affidea says the trend is closely linked to lifestyle changes. While there is no specifically “Hungarian” risk factor, sedentary lifestyles, a higher daily calorie intake in many cases, a larger share of overweight and obese people, and less favorable alcohol consumption patterns by international comparison may all contribute to rising risk.
The OECD’s 2025 report, cited in the release, found that these lifestyle and environmental risk factors contribute to around 35% of deaths in Hungary; diabetes alone is»responsible for 2.4% of all deaths.
There are also differences between men and women. Diabetes is slightly more common among men overall, particularly in middle age. Among women, the disease is often recognized later, partly because the early symptoms may be less characteristic. Gestational diabetes also requires particular attention. Although it is usually a temporary condition, it significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later years.
Affidea stresses that many complications can be prevented if the disease is detected in time. Diagnosis can be made through simple laboratory tests, including blood sugar and HbA1c measurements, often as part of a routine screening before symptoms develop.
HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin, is a laboratory value showing the average level of glucose in the blood over the previous two to three months. Because it measures the amount of sugar bound to red blood cells, it provides a longer-term picture of blood sugar control. It plays an important role not only in diagnosis but also in monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Diabetes recognized at an early stage can now be treated effectively, with therapy becoming increasingly personalized. Lifestyle change remains the foundation of care in every case, including an appropriate diet, regular exercise and weight control. Modern drug therapies may supplement this.
In the treatment of type 2 diabetes, medicines are now available that not only lower blood sugar levels but can also have favorable effects on body weight and cardiovascular risk. In type 1 diabetes, insulin replacement remains the basis of treatment, using modern insulin preparations and, when necessary, insulin pumps.
Affidea Hungary emphasizes that regular laboratory testing and conscious health maintenance can help ensure that the disease is recognized and treated before serious complications develop.
The healthcare provider began operations in Hungary more than 30 years ago and has since become not only a leading private provider in the country but also a major player in Europe. The group operates 391 healthcare centers in 15 countries, carrying out 20 million examinations annually for 14 million patients. It employs around 16,000 specialists.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of May 22, 2026.
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