LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, European Union adults exhibited a 16.3% obesity rate, based on the latest Eurostat findings. An additional 35.4% were categorized as pre-obese. These groups combined constitute 51.7% of individuals aged 18 and older, indicating that more than half of the EU adult population had a body mass index considered overweight.
The statistics reveal notable gender disparities within the EU. The obesity rate was 17.4% among men and 15.3% among women. Pre-obesity affected 41.9% of men compared to 29.3% of women. Women also showed a higher underweight percentage at 2.9%, whereas the rate among men was 1.0%.
Eurostat highlighted significant differences between member states. Malta had the highest prevalence, with 26.6% of adults classified as obese in 2025. Latvia followed at 24.6%, and Finland ranked third with 23.2%. Conversely, Italy’s obesity rate was the lowest at 7.0%, with Greece at 12.8% and Romania close behind at 12.9%.
Malta registers highest EU obesity rate
BMI, or body mass index, evaluates weight in kilograms relative to height in metres squared. Eurostat considers adults with a BMI of 30 or more as obese, while those with a BMI from 25 to below 30 are classified as pre-obese. The broader overweight category includes both groups, and BMI under 18.5 indicates underweight status.
Gender data indicates that excess weight impacted more men than women in 2025. When combining obesity and pre-obesity, the figures are 59.3% for men and 44.6% for women. The difference in obesity alone was smaller. The data, covering individuals aged 18 and above, provides a standardized measure for weight comparisons across EU nations.
EU health monitoring relies on obesity statistics
Obesity rates are integral to European efforts aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They contribute to SDG 2 indicators related to zero hunger and better nutrition, as well as SDG 3, which emphasizes health and well-being. Such data enable policymakers to track health and nutrition trends consistently across countries.
The 2025 data underscores that obesity and pre-obesity together represent a significant portion of excess weight in the EU. About one in six adults were affected by obesity alone, with pre-obesity impacting over one in three. Variations among nations ranged from 7.0% in Italy to 26.6% in Malta. These figures highlight considerable differences across member states, yet clearly demonstrate that the majority of EU adults are classified as overweight or obese.