Indonesia and Diabetes in Numbers

Indonesia Ranks 5th Globally in Number of Diabetes Patients

Indonesia is the country with the fifth-highest number of diabetes patients in the world. The number of patients has increased dramatically from 7 million in 2010 to 10 million in 2015, and is estimated to have nearly tripled to 19.5 million by 2021.

While Indonesian cuisine is well-known for its spiciness, it is also characterized by salty side dishes, and many people consume large amounts of white rice. The prevailing logic is that “one can get full cheaply by increasing rice rather than side dishes,” which explains the common practice of large rice portions.

Another major contributing factor to the high number of diabetes patients is the widespread habit—starting from childhood—of consuming street snacks such as rice cakes, pastries, and fried foods high in carbohydrates, along with sugary beverages. Moreover, there is generally limited knowledge and low awareness about the relationship between lifestyle (including diet) and health.

Reference: Tropicana Slim Instagram @tropicanaslim

Corporate and Government Actions

In recent years, particularly among young people in urban areas, there has been a noticeable rise in health consciousness.

Low-sugar sweets, reduced-sugar and sugar-free beverages, and alternative sweeteners have become more visible than before. Increasingly, snack packaging now clearly displays sugar content.

The Indonesian government has also begun to take action. In July 2023, the Ministry of Finance announced plans to impose an excise tax on beverages sold in plastic bottles and cartons. Considering the adverse health effects of excessive sugar consumption, the tax rate will be higher for beverages with higher sugar content.

In Indonesia, almost all packaged beverages—including coffee, tea, and juice—contain added sugar. Even canned coffee labeled “black” typically contains sugar, simply without milk. It remains very difficult to find unsweetened beverages other than water. Whether the efforts of companies and the government will lead to the widespread adoption of sugar-free drinks remains to be seen.

Reference: Kontan.co.id “Siap-Siap! Minuman Kadar Gula Lebih Tinggi Bakal Kena Tarif Cukai Lebih Mahal”

Indonesia and Diabetes in Video

Popular Snacks Among Indonesian Elementary School Children

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This video features a segment where women reminisce about their elementary school days while sampling street food.

In Indonesia, such street stalls are commonly found near schools, where children often purchase snacks. These foods are predominantly high in carbohydrates, with generous amounts of oil and salt. And of course, the accompanying drinks are packed with sugar. Tapioca-based dumplings like “Cilok” and sweet tea—featured in the video—are among the favorites.

Given the growing issue of childhood diabetes, education for children has become a matter of urgency.

First Experience with Unsweetened Tea—A Bitter Reaction

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As mentioned above, the majority of bottled and canned beverages in Indonesia are sweetened, including tea.

This video documents a woman’s first experience trying an unsweetened version of Teh Botol (literally “bottled tea”), a nationally beloved drink. Her anxious expression, cautious sip, and startled reaction to the bitterness are all highly symbolic.

This sugar-free tea was first introduced in 2017. Before that, unsweetened tea typically referred to hot tea provided free at traditional eateries—often made by boiling tap water.

As such, many Indonesians initially reacted with skepticism, saying, “Unsweetened tea is something you drink for free,” or “Why pay for bitter tea?” However, the continued presence of the product on convenience store shelves—and its inclusion as a drink option in McDonald’s combo meals—indicates a degree of acceptance among sugar-loving Indonesians.

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Can Steady Education Reduce Diabetes Cases?

Eating habits and flavor preferences are difficult to change, even with effort. Many middle-aged and older Indonesians have little to no knowledge about the relationship between food and health, or, even if they do, they often disregard it—leading lives based on the notion that “if you have money, you eat as much as you want.”

Additionally, there is a widespread aversion to hospitals in Indonesia. It is common to hear people say, “I know my blood sugar is high, but I have no symptoms so I won’t go to the hospital,” or “I have diabetes, but I stopped going because it’s too much trouble.”

Providing accurate knowledge about nutrition, preventive medicine, and common diseases to the increasingly health-conscious youth and children may be the key for Indonesia to reduce the national number of diabetes patients in the long term.