The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) study predicts there will be 40% extra diabetes sufferers and 30% more with coronary heart disease.

Incidents of coronary heart diseases such as heart attacks and angina are set to increase by half, according to the report.

In the Republic of Ireland, chronic conditions are expected to increase by almost 40%, with more than 60% extra diabetes sufferers and 28,000 additional strokes by 2020.

Researchers looked at the prevalence of the health problems in 2007 and estimated levels for five and ten years' time across the island. They found rates of the diseases were higher in northern and western parts of the island and lower around Dublin. Chronic conditions were also more prevalent among men and those in areas of lower income and unemployment.

IPH associate director Professor Kevin Balanda said the dramatic increase would place a huge burden on health services and the economy. "Unless we can address this increase in people living with these conditions we could be adding years of illness and disability to our lives."

The Making Chronic Conditions Count report predicts the number of people in Northern Ireland with high blood pressure over the next decade will be 482,000 - a 22% increase in 15 years. In the Republic, high blood pressure sufferers will increase by 40% to 1.19 million people in 2020.

The number of Northern stroke sufferers will increase by 29% to around 42,000 by 2020.

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health, said the findings would be heeded. "This work clearly highlights the importance of a focus on public health in future public policy," he added.