The number of South Koreans suffering from diabetes shot up 24.6 percent in 2015 from five years earlier, data showed Tuesday, emerging as one of the major burdens on public health care expenditures.

According to the data compiled by the National Health Insurance Service, the number of South Koreans with diabetes reached 2.52 million, compared with 2.02 million posted in 2010. Around 55 percent of the patients were males.

The state-run institution said diabetes-related medical expenditures also advanced 33.3 percent over the cited period to 1.8 trillion won, taking up 3.2 percent of the combined health-insurance spending.

The data also showed South Koreans started to become vulnerable to diabetes in their 40s, especially as people tend to age quickly starting the period, facing problems in controlling their blood levels.

While those under 30-years-old accounted for 4.3 percent of the patients, the share jumped to 11.5 percent for 40-somethings in 2015.

Those in their 50s, 60s and 70s accounted for 25.7 percent, 27.9 percent and 22.8 percent, respectively. (Yonhap)