Diabetes Rates in South America (2026)
South America has noticeable differences in diabetes prevalence, with some countries reporting substantially higher estimated rates than others. Based on the latest available estimates, Guyana has the highest diabetes rate in the region, while Bolivia records the lowest. This page compares diabetes prevalence across all South American countries, allowing you to explore regional rankings and see how each country compares globally.
Diabetes Rates in South America Rankings
| # | Country | Est. Diabetes Prevention (%) | Global Rank | Continent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇬🇾Guyana |
16.4% | 32 | South America |
| 2 | 🇦🇷Argentina |
14% | 38 | South America |
| 3 | 🇸🇷Suriname |
13.8% | 39 | South America |
| 4 | 🇨🇱Chile |
12.2% | 54 | South America |
| 5 | 🇧🇷Brazil |
10.6% | 72 | South America |
| 6 | 🇵🇾Paraguay |
9.4% | 96 | South America |
| 7 | 🇻🇪Venezuela |
8.6% | 102 | South America |
| 8 | 🇨🇴Colombia |
8.4% | 107 | South America |
| 9 | 🇺🇾Uruguay |
7.8% | 120 | South America |
| 10 | 🇵🇪Peru |
6.4% | 160 | South America |
| 11 | 🇪🇨Ecuador |
4.9% | 182 | South America |
| 12 | 🇧🇴Bolivia |
3.4% | 203 | South America |
Key Findings
Guyana Has the Highest Diabetes Rate in South America
- Guyana ranks #1 in South America with an estimated diabetes prevalence of 16.4%.
- It is followed by Argentina (14.0%), Suriname (13.8%), and Chile (12.2%).
Argentina and Suriname Report Similar Diabetes Rates
- Argentina records a diabetes prevalence of 14.0%, while Suriname stands at 13.8%.
- The difference between the two countries is only 0.2 percentage points.
Brazil Ranks Fifth in South America
- Brazil has an estimated diabetes prevalence of 10.6%, placing it fifth in the regional ranking.
- Its rate is lower than Guyana, Argentina, Suriname, and Chile, but higher than the remaining countries.
Bolivia Has the Lowest Diabetes Rate in the Region
- Bolivia ranks last in South America with an estimated diabetes prevalence of 3.4%.
- It is followed by Ecuador (4.9%) and Peru (6.4%).
South America Has a Wide Gap Between the Highest and Lowest Rates
- Diabetes prevalence ranges from 16.4% in Guyana to 3.4% in Bolivia.
- This represents a difference of 13 percentage points across the region.
North America Has a Wide Gap Between the Highest and Lowest Rates
- Diabetes prevalence ranges from 17.6% in the Dominican Republic to 4.3% in Greenland.
- This represents a difference of 13.3 percentage points between the highest and lowest rates in the region.
Top 10 Countries with the Highest Diabetes Rates in South America
- Guyana — 16.4%
- Argentina — 14.0%
- Suriname — 13.8%
- Chile — 12.2%
- Brazil — 10.6%
- Paraguay — 9.4%
- Venezuela — 8.6%
- Colombia — 8.4%
- Uruguay — 7.8%
- Peru — 6.4%
Top 10 Countries with the Lowest Diabetes Rates in South America
- Bolivia — 3.4%
- Ecuador — 4.9%
- Peru — 6.4%
- Uruguay — 7.8%
- Colombia — 8.4%
- Venezuela — 8.6%
- Paraguay — 9.4%
- Brazil — 10.6%
- Chile — 12.2%
- Suriname — 13.8%
About Diabetes Rates in South America
Diabetes affects millions of people across South America, but its estimated prevalence is not evenly distributed throughout the continent. In this dataset, Guyana ranks first with an estimated diabetes prevalence of 16.4%, followed by Argentina (14.0%), Suriname (13.8%), and Chile (12.2%). These countries report the highest diabetes rates among South American nations.
The regional ranking also highlights notable differences among neighboring countries. Brazil has an estimated diabetes prevalence of 10.6%, placing it fifth in South America, while Paraguay, Venezuela, and Colombia occupy the middle of the ranking. At the lower end, Bolivia (3.4%), Ecuador (4.9%), and Peru (6.4%) record the lowest estimated diabetes rates in the region.
Diabetes prevalence can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including obesity, dietary habits, physical activity, ageing populations, healthcare access, genetics, and early diagnosis. Since reporting methods and health surveys may differ between countries, these estimates are intended for regional comparison rather than direct clinical evaluation.
Sources
Definitions & Methodology
What do diabetes rates in South America measure?
Diabetes rates in South America represent the estimated percentage of adults living with diabetes in each country. The ranking compares prevalence rather than the total number of diabetes cases.
How are South American countries ranked?
Countries are ranked from highest to lowest according to estimated diabetes prevalence. A higher percentage means a larger share of the adult population is estimated to have diabetes.
What does the diabetes percentage mean?
The percentage shows the estimated proportion of adults living with diabetes. For example, 16.4% means that about 16 out of every 100 adults are estimated to have diabetes.
Why do diabetes rates differ across South America?
Diabetes prevalence may vary because of differences in diet, obesity, physical activity, population age, genetics, healthcare access, diagnosis rates, and socioeconomic conditions.
Diabetes Rates in South America FAQs
Which country has the highest diabetes rate in South America?
Guyana has the highest diabetes rate in South America in this dataset at 16.4%, followed by Argentina, Suriname, and Chile.
Which country has the lowest diabetes rate in South America?
Bolivia has the lowest diabetes rate in South America at 3.4%, followed by Ecuador and Peru.
Which South American countries have diabetes rates above 12%?
Guyana, Argentina, Suriname, and Chile have estimated diabetes prevalence rates above 12%.
How does Brazil compare with Argentina?
Brazil has a diabetes prevalence of 10.6%, which is lower than Argentina’s 14.0%.
How are diabetes rates in South America measured?
Diabetes rates are measured as the estimated percentage of adults living with diabetes, allowing countries with different population sizes to be compared fairly.