Average BMI by Country (2025) — Global Obesity Trends

An analysis of global physical wellness indicators from 2000 to 2025 shows a concerning macro trend in body weight. Globally, the average body mass index has risen by approximately 1.5 BMI points since 2000, signaling a rapid shift in nutrition and activity worldwide. Highly urbanized regions and island nations show the most pronounced changes, with top national average bands now tracking well above 32 BMI points. This is particularly visible in Pacific Island clusters like Nauru, Samoa, and Tonga, where imported calorie-dense foods have largely replaced traditional diets. In Western countries like the United States, average BMIs remain in the overweight range (29.1 for males and 29.3 for females), driven by processed foods and sedentary lifestyles. In contrast, parts of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa still face the double burden of malnutrition, carrying high rates of underweight populations alongside growing urban obesity.

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory data repository, NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) global database, and national demographic health survey metrics. All figures are statistical summaries and regional estimates.