LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, 16.3% of European Union adults were classified as obese, based on the latest Eurostat figures. Additionally, 35.4% of adults fell into the pre-obese range. Collectively, these groups made up 51.7% of individuals aged 18 and older. The data indicates that more than half of the EU’s adult population has a body mass index categorized as overweight.
The statistics also reveal a notable gender disparity within the EU. Obesity was observed in 17.4% of men and 15.3% of women. Pre-obese adults comprised 41.9% of men versus 29.3% of women. Women showed a higher prevalence of underweight at 2.9%, compared to 1.0% among men.
Eurostat highlighted significant differences in obesity rates across member states. Malta reported the highest prevalence, with 26.6% of adults classified as obese in 2025. Latvia followed at 24.6%, while Finland ranked third at 23.2%. Conversely, Italy’s obesity rate was the lowest at 7.0%. Greece was at 12.8%, and Romania was close behind at 12.9%.
Malta Registers EU’s Highest Obesity Level
BMI, or body mass index, assesses weight in kilograms relative to height in metres squared. Eurostat categorizes adults with a BMI of 30 or higher as obese. Those with a BMI between 25 and below 30 are considered pre-obese. The broader overweight classification includes both pre-obese and obese adults, while a BMI under 18.5 indicates underweight.
Gender-specific data show that excess weight impacted a larger proportion of men than women in 2025. When combining obesity and pre-obesity figures, 59.3% of men were affected compared to 44.6% of women. The difference in obesity alone was less pronounced. These statistics cover individuals aged 18 and older, providing a standardized measure to compare weight categories across EU nations.
EU Health Monitoring Utilizes Obesity Data
Obesity rates are part of European efforts to track progress related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This metric contributes to indicators associated with SDG 2, which aims for zero hunger and better nutrition. It also aids in monitoring SDG 3, focusing on health and well-being. These indicators enable authorities to assess nutrition and health trends using comparable data across participating countries.
The 2025 data demonstrate that obesity, along with pre-obesity, represents a significant portion of excess weight in the EU. While about one in six adults suffers from obesity, over one in three are pre-obese. Variations between countries are substantial, with Italy at 7.0% and Malta at 26.6%. Overall, the latest figures confirm that overweight categories collectively encompass a majority of the EU adult population, with notable differences among member states.