Average BMI by Country
Global Data 2024–2026

Global BMI Trends: What the Data Shows

Global average BMI has increased dramatically over the past 50 years. The NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, which pooled data from 200 countries and 128 million people, found:

• Global average BMI rose from ~21.7 in 1975 to ~26.5 in 2024 for both men and women
• The number of obese adults worldwide increased from 100 million in 1975 to over 890 million in 2022
• Obesity rates have more than doubled in most countries since 1980
• Low and middle-income countries are experiencing the fastest rate of increase

Countries With the Highest Average BMI

Pacific Island nations dominate the upper end of global BMI rankings. Nauru has the world's highest recorded average BMI at approximately 34–36 for adults, with obesity rates above 70%. This reflects a complex combination of factors including rapid dietary transition from traditional foods to imported processed foods, genetic predisposition, and limited physical activity infrastructure.

Among larger nations, the United States has one of the highest average BMIs in the developed world at approximately 29.5 for men and 29.6 for women — placing the average American just below the obese threshold. Egypt has one of the highest average BMIs in Africa, with women averaging approximately 31.8.

Countries With the Lowest Average BMI

East and Southeast Asian nations, along with several sub-Saharan African countries, have the world's lowest average BMIs. Japan's average BMI of approximately 23.6 for men and 22.3 for women is particularly notable given Japan's status as a high-income nation — it reflects culturally embedded dietary habits (fish, vegetables, smaller portions) and social norms around body weight.

Vietnam and Bangladesh also have very low average BMIs (approximately 21), though this partly reflects food insecurity rather than optimal health.

Why Asian BMI Thresholds Are Different

Standard WHO BMI categories (overweight ≥25, obese ≥30) were developed primarily from European population data. Research has consistently shown that adults of Asian descent develop metabolic health risks — type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension — at lower BMI values than European populations.

The WHO issued a recommendation that for Asian populations, a BMI of ≥23 should be considered overweight and ≥27.5 should be considered obese. Despite having lower average BMIs than Western countries, many Asian nations have significant rates of metabolic disease.

Use our Asian BMI Calculator if you are of Asian descent to get a more appropriate BMI assessment.

Average BMI by Major Country