Ireland vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults
Ireland
27.9%
in 2024
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
27.4%
in 2024
Ireland rank
75th
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
78th
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults over time
- Ireland
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
Ireland currently reports 27.9% against 27.4% in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 0.5%.
The two have swapped places 2 times across 45 shared years of data; in 1980 it was Ireland ahead.
Ireland ranks 75th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 78th of 199 countries.
Across the 5 decades both report, Ireland averaged higher in 4 and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Ireland | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 10.8% | 9.0% | 1.7% | Ireland |
| 1990s | 15.8% | 15.1% | 0.8% | Ireland |
| 2000s | 21.7% | 21.8% | 0.1% | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2010s | 25.5% | 25.5% | 0.0% | Ireland |
| 2020s | 27.4% | 27.0% | 0.4% | Ireland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher prevalence rate of obesity in adults, Ireland or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Ireland, at 27.9% against 27.4% in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2024.
- What is the difference in prevalence rate of obesity in adults between Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 0.5%, with Ireland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 45 years are reported by both, from 1980 to 2024.
- How do Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Ireland ranks 75th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 78th of 199 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as Prevalence rate of obesity in adults. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Estimated prevalence of obesity in adults, based on general population surveys and statistical modeling. Obesity is a risk factor for chronic complications, including cardiovascular disease, and premature death.