South Africa—Obesity Prevalence (BMI >= 30)
Category: HealthSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #48 of 196Series years: 1980–2024
Latest Value
31.8%
2024
YoY Change
+1.0%
2023 → 2024
Global Rank
#48
of 196 countries
Maximum
31.8%
2024
Minimum
10.7%
1980
CAGR
+2.5%
45 years
Last
31.8%
Previous
31.4%
Highest
31.8%
Lowest
10.7%
Unit
percent of adults aged 18 and over
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's obesity prevalence (BMI >= 30) was 31.8% in 2024, ranking #48 out of 196 countries. This represents a +1.0% change from 2023. Over the past 45 years, the highest recorded value was 31.8% (2024) and the lowest was 10.7% (1980). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
Not cleared for download
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31.8% | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 31.4% | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 31.1% | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 30.8% | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 30.6% | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 30.3% | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 30.1% | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 29.8% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 29.6% | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 29.3% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 29.1% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 28.8% | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 28.6% | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 28.4% | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 28.1% | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 27.7% | +1.5% |
| 2008 | 27.3% | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 26.8% | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 26.3% | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 25.8% | +2.4% |
| 2004 | 25.2% | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 24.5% | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 23.9% | +2.8% |
| 2001 | 23.2% | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 22.6% | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 21.9% | +3.2% |
| 1998 | 21.2% | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 20.5% | +4.6% |
| 1996 | 19.6% | +5.4% |
| 1995 | 18.6% | +6.0% |
| 1994 | 17.5% | +4.1% |
| 1993 | 16.9% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 16.4% | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 15.2% | +3.6% |
| 1989 | 14.7% | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 14.2% | +3.7% |
| 1987 | 13.7% | +3.6% |
| 1986 | 13.2% | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 12.7% | +3.6% |
| 1984 | 12.3% | +3.6% |
| 1983 | 11.8% | +3.6% |
| 1982 | 11.4% | +3.6% |
| 1981 | 11.0% | +3.6% |
| 1980 | 10.7% |
Top Countries — Obesity Prevalence (BMI >= 30)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Samoa | 75.9% | 2024 |
| 2 | Tonga | 73.8% | 2024 |
| 3 | Nauru | 71.4% | 2024 |
| 4 | Tuvalu | 65.1% | 2024 |
| 5 | Samoa | 64.3% | 2024 |
| 6 | French Polynesia | 49.2% | 2024 |
| 7 | Micronesia | 48.6% | 2024 |
| 8 | Bahamas | 48.3% | 2024 |
| 9 | St. Kitts and Nevis | 46.7% | 2024 |
| 10 | Kiribati | 45.6% | 2024 |
About This Indicator
Definition
BMI at least 30 kg/m2; age-standardized estimate, both sexes.
Methodology
WHO age-standardized model-based estimate
Unit
percent of adults aged 18 and over
Source: World Health Organization (Global Health Observatory)Available series: 1980–2024View original source →