Number of diabetes patients in Latvia rose last year
Latvia recorded over 105,000 diabetes patients in 2025, up 2.1% from the previous year, with type 2 diabetes accounting for the vast majority of cases.
According to data compiled by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), Latvia had 105,608 registered diabetes patients last year — a 2.1% increase compared to the previous year.
Of the total, 5,348 patients were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, while 99,398 had type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. Another 840 patients had other specified forms of diabetes, and 22 had an unspecified type.
Deaths linked to the disease
Last year, 344 women and 195 men died from complications caused by diabetes. Most of the deceased — 468 people — had type 2 diabetes, while 21 deaths were linked to type 1 diabetes. The remaining deceased had other forms of the disease.
Types and prevention
Type 1 diabetes is an insulin-dependent condition that occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, requiring patients to take insulin injections. It can develop at any age but usually appears in childhood, and there is no known way to prevent it.
Type 2 diabetes, the most widespread form, occurs when the pancreas either produces insufficient insulin or the insulin does not work effectively enough. It can develop at any age, but it can be prevented by maintaining a normal body weight, staying physically active, and following a suitable diet.
