LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – According to the most recent Eurostat statistics, 16.3% of European Union adults in 2025 are classified as obese. An additional 35.4% fall into the pre-obese group. Collectively, these two categories represent 51.7% of individuals aged 18 and older. The data indicates that more than half of the EU adult population has a body mass index categorized as overweight.
Eurostat’s findings also highlight notable gender disparities within the EU. The prevalence of obesity was 17.4% among men, compared to 15.3% among women. Pre-obesity affected 41.9% of men, whereas 29.3% of women fell into this category. The underweight rate was higher among women at 2.9%, with men at just 1.0%.
Eurostat reported significant variations in obesity prevalence among member states. Malta had the highest rate, with 26.6% of adults classified as obese in 2025. Latvia was next at 24.6%, with Finland ranking third at 23.2%. Conversely, Italy recorded the lowest obesity rate at 7.0%. Greece followed with 12.8%, and Romania was close behind at 12.9%.
Malta Exhibits the Highest EU Obesity Rate
BMI, or body mass index, quantifies weight in kilograms relative to height squared in metres. Eurostat considers adults with a BMI of 30 or more as obese. Those with BMI values between 25 and just below 30 are categorized as pre-obese. The overweight classification encompasses both obese and pre-obese individuals, whereas a BMI below 18.5 signifies underweight status.
Gender analysis reveals that excess weight impacted a larger proportion of men than women in 2025. When combining obesity and pre-obesity, the figures reach 59.3% for men and 44.6% for women. The prevalence of obesity alone showed a smaller gender gap. These data, covering individuals aged 18 and older, serve as a standard measure for comparing weight categories across EU countries.
Obesity Statistics Aid in EU Health Surveillance
The obesity rate also contributes to European monitoring efforts aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It plays a role in indicators linked to SDG 2, which aims to eradicate hunger and enhance nutrition. The data supports the tracking of SDG 3, focusing on health and well-being. These metrics enable authorities to assess nutrition and health issues using comparable information across member states.
In 2025, obesity and pre-obesity together highlight a significant health challenge across the European Union. Obesity alone impacts about one in six adults, while pre-obesity affects over one in three. The prevalence among countries ranges from 7.0% in Italy to 26.6% in Malta. The latest statistics reveal considerable differences among member states but confirm that the majority of EU adults fall into overweight categories.