LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – Eurostat reports that in 2025, European Union adults had an obesity rate of 16.3%. An additional 35.4% of adults were categorized as pre-obese. When combined, these groups make up 51.7% of individuals aged 18 and over. The data indicates that more than half of the EU’s adult population had a body mass index considered overweight.
The statistics further highlight notable gender differences across the EU. Obesity prevalence was 17.4% among men and 15.3% among women. The pre-obese segment affected 41.9% of men versus 29.3% of women. Additionally, women showed a higher underweight rate at 2.9%, while for men, this figure was 1.0%.
Eurostat also documented significant disparities among member states. Malta had the highest proportion, with 26.6% of adults classified as obese in 2025. Latvia followed at 24.6%, and Finland ranked third at 23.2%. Conversely, Italy recorded the lowest obesity rate at 7.0%. Greece was next with 12.8%, and Romania closely behind at 12.9%.
Malta reports EU’s top obesity percentage
Body mass index, or BMI, assesses weight relative to height, measured in kilograms against the square of height in metres. According to Eurostat, adults with a BMI of 30 or more are classified as obese. Those with BMI values from 25 up to, but not including, 30 are considered pre-obese. Overweight encompasses both obese and pre-obese categories, while BMI below 18.5 indicates underweight.
Gender-specific data reveal that excess weight impacted a higher proportion of men than women in 2025. The combined rates for obesity and pre-obesity reached 59.3% for men and 44.6% for women. When looking at obesity alone, the gap between genders was less pronounced. The figures cover individuals aged 18 and older and serve as a standardized metric for comparing weight categories across EU nations.
EU health tracking relies on obesity data
Obesity prevalence also contributes to European health monitoring initiatives linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It plays a role in indicators related to SDG 2, which aims for zero hunger and better nutrition. Furthermore, it aids in the assessment of SDG 3, focused on health and well-being. These indicators enable authorities to monitor nutrition and health trends across participating nations with comparable data.
The 2025 statistics place obesity alongside pre-obesity as key factors contributing to excess weight within the EU. About one in six adults was affected by obesity alone, while pre-obesity impacted more than one in three. The data shows country-specific variations, from Italy’s 7.0% to Malta’s 26.6%, underscoring significant differences among member states. Nonetheless, the figures confirm that combined overweight categories constitute the majority of the EU adult population.