LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, 16.3% of European Union adults were classified as obese, based on the most recent Eurostat statistics. Additionally, 35.4% of adults were considered pre-obese. These two categories combined comprised 51.7% of individuals aged 18 and older. The data indicates that more than half of the EU’s adult population had a body mass index categorized as overweight.
The statistics also revealed notable disparities between men and women in the EU. The obesity rate was 17.4% among men, while women had a rate of 15.3%. Pre-obesity affected 41.9% of men, compared to 29.3% of women. Women also showed a higher prevalence of underweight at 2.9%, whereas the figure among men stood at 1.0%.
Eurostat identified significant differences in obesity prevalence across EU member states. Malta recorded the highest prevalence, with 26.6% of adults classified as obese in 2025. Latvia followed at 24.6%, and Finland was third at 23.2%. Conversely, Italy reported the lowest obesity rate at 7.0%. Greece had a rate of 12.8%, with Romania close behind at 12.9%.
Malta Has the Highest Obesity Rate in the EU
BMI, or body mass index, gauges weight in kilograms relative to height in metres squared. Eurostat considers adults with a BMI of 30 or above as obese. Those with a BMI ranging from 25 up to less than 30 are categorized as pre-obese. The broader overweight classification includes both obese and pre-obese individuals. A BMI below 18.5 is classified as underweight.
The gender-specific data shows that excess weight impacted a higher proportion of men than women in 2025. When combining obesity and pre-obesity, the rates are 59.3% for men and 44.6% for women. The difference narrows when looking solely at obesity. The figures encompass adults aged 18 and older and serve as a standardized measure for comparing weight categories across the EU.
EU Obesity Data Contributes to Health Monitoring and Policy
Obesity rates also play a role in European surveillance connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They are linked to indicators related to SDG 2, which promotes zero hunger and better nutrition. The data also aids in tracking progress on SDG 3, focusing on health and well-being. These metrics help authorities monitor nutrition and health trends using comparable data across member countries.
The 2025 figures highlight that obesity, along with pre-obesity, constitutes a significant part of excess weight issues across the European Union. Approximately one in six adults was affected by obesity alone, while more than one in three experienced pre-obesity. The prevalence ranged from 7.0% in Italy to 26.6% in Malta. The latest data emphasize the considerable variation between member states while confirming that the combined overweight categories encompass a majority of EU adults.