LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, obesity was present in 16.3% of European Union adults, according to data from Eurostat. A further 35.4% of adults fall into the pre-obese group. Together, these segments account for 51.7% of individuals aged 18 and older. This indicates that over half of the adult population in the EU is affected by excess weight. Eurostat utilizes body mass index, or BMI, as a standard metric for comparing weight categories across member countries.
Higher rates of both obesity and pre-obesity were observed among men compared to women. The obesity rate among men reached 17.4%, whereas it was 15.3% for women. Pre-obesity impacted 41.9% of men and 29.3% of women. When combined, these categories result in an overweight prevalence of 59.3% in men, while the figure for women stands at 44.6%. Underweight prevalence was higher in women, at 2.9%, contrasted with 1.0% among men.
The results across EU nations vary significantly. Malta exhibits the highest obesity rate at 26.6% of adults. Latvia follows with 24.6%, with Finland recording 23.2%. Italy has the lowest rate at 7.0%. Greece’s rate is 12.8%, while Romania’s is 12.9%. The national figures reveal nearly a 20 percentage point difference between Malta and Italy, representing the highest and lowest rates in the dataset.
Malta leads EU obesity rankings
BMI assesses an individual’s weight in kilograms relative to the square of their height in metres. A BMI of 30 or higher categorizes an individual as obese. A BMI ranging from 25 to below 30 indicates pre-obesity. The overall overweight classification combines both these categories. A BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight. These thresholds serve as a standardized basis for comparing adult weight levels across EU nations.
The 2025 figures also demonstrate that pre-obesity remains more prevalent than obesity among the adult population. Over one-third of adults are in the pre-obese group, while approximately one in six meet the criteria for obesity. The combined total results in over half of the EU adult population being overweight. The gender disparity becomes more apparent, with men displaying notably higher pre-obesity levels, although the gap in obesity rates between men and women is narrower.
EU monitors obesity trends as part of health objectives
This obesity indicator also supports the European Union’s efforts to track progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It contributes to monitoring SDG 2, which addresses hunger, food security, and nutrition improvements. Additionally, it relates to SDG 3, focusing on health and well-being. By employing common BMI categories, countries can compare adult weight patterns over time, ensuring consistent statistical analysis across the EU’s member states.
The 2025 data underscores that excess weight remains among the most widespread weight issues among EU adults, with obesity affecting 16.3%, and pre-obesity accounting for another 35.4%. Malta, Latvia, and Finland have the highest obesity rates within the bloc. Conversely, Italy, Greece, and Romania report the lowest figures. The data reflect significant national differences but consistently show that the majority of the adult population falls into overweight categories across the EU.