Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Overweight and obesity worldwide - Statistics & Facts
Overweight and obesity are among the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century. In 2024, 42 percent of the global population was classified as overweight, a share projected to rise to 44 percent by 2029. In a global survey that year, one in four adults identified obesity as the most serious health problem in their country. Between 2010 and 2023, the disease burden linked to high body mass index (BMI) increased by 11 percent, making it one of the few major risk factors to worsen over time.
Obesity prevalenceÂ
Obesity prevalence is highest in Pacific island nations. In 2023, 61 percent of the population in Nauru was classified as obese, followed by 56 percent in the Cook Islands. Nauru also recorded the highest obesity-related premature mortality rate that year. This was followed by the Marshall Islands and Egypt. When it comes to the number of people with obesity, highly populated countries such as China, the United States and India, show the highest overall values.Â
Health and economic impactÂ
Overweight and obesity increase the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In 2023, cardiovascular diseases accounted for the largest share of the global non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, totaling around 436 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Diabetes and kidney diseases contributed an additional 136.7 million DALYs. As of 2024, diabetes prevalence was highest in the Middle East and North Africa at 17.6 percent. The economic impact is also substantial: in 2020, obesity costs in the Americas reached 3.2 percent of regional GDP, with projections rising to 3.7 percent by 2035.
Drivers and treatment trends
Overweight and obesity are driven by various factors including diet, sedentary behavior, and access to affordable and nutritious food. Physical inactivity remains a key modifiable risk factor. The highest rates of insufficient physical activity are observed in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Cuba. At the same time, medical treatments are gaining acceptance. In 2026, 14 percent of adults in the United States considered GLP-1 receptor agonists to be a legitimate treatment for chronic disease, with similar views reported in the United Kingdom and Germany.
Rising childhood obesity
The number of children with obesity is projected to increase by over 50 million people by 2040. Niue, and the Cook Islands show the highest prevalence rates, with figures surpassing 40 percent of the young population. An estimated 98 million children showed early signs of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) linked to high BMI in 2025. This number is expected to rise to 124 million by 2040.
Without coordinated action on environments conducive to prevention and appropriate treatment, the health and economic burden of excess weight is likely to intensify across future generations.
