Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Benin
Benin: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 12.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Benin, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Benin recorded 12.2% for prevalence rate of obesity in adults in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 3.8% on the previous year and up 43.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Benin peaked at 12.2% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.1%, in 1980.
Benin ranks 159th of 199 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Benin, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1.1% | — |
| 1981 | 1.2% | +6.6% |
| 1982 | 1.3% | +6.7% |
| 1983 | 1.3% | +6.8% |
| 1984 | 1.4% | +6.9% |
| 1985 | 1.5% | +7.0% |
| 1986 | 1.6% | +7.0% |
| 1987 | 1.8% | +7.1% |
| 1988 | 1.9% | +7.1% |
| 1989 | 2.0% | +7.2% |
| 1990 | 2.2% | +7.3% |
| 1991 | 2.3% | +7.3% |
| 1992 | 2.5% | +7.4% |
| 1993 | 2.7% | +7.3% |
| 1994 | 2.9% | +7.4% |
| 1995 | 3.1% | +7.7% |
| 1996 | 3.3% | +7.7% |
| 1997 | 3.6% | +7.8% |
| 1998 | 3.9% | +7.8% |
| 1999 | 4.2% | +7.8% |
| 2000 | 4.5% | +7.6% |
| 2001 | 4.8% | +7.3% |
| 2002 | 5.2% | +7.0% |
| 2003 | 5.5% | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 5.8% | +6.1% |
| 2005 | 6.2% | +5.7% |
| 2006 | 6.5% | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 6.8% | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 7.1% | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 7.3% | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 7.6% | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 7.8% | +3.0% |
| 2012 | 8.0% | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 8.3% | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 8.5% | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 8.8% | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 9.1% | +3.4% |
| 2017 | 9.4% | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 9.8% | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 10.2% | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 10.5% | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 10.9% | +3.8% |
| 2022 | 11.4% | +3.8% |
| 2023 | 11.8% | +3.8% |
| 2024 | 12.2% | +3.8% |
Benin compared with similar countries
- Benin's 12.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 16.0%, 76% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Benin's 12.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.7%, 96% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.5% | 1.1% | 2.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.1% | 2.2% | 4.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.0% | 4.5% | 7.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.8% | 7.6% | 10.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.4% | 10.5% | 12.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Benin
More health data for Benin
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.8458 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 13,632 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 21 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.21 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0741 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.24 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0763 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Benin?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Benin was 12.2% in 2024, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 12.2% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.1% in 1980.
- How does Benin rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Benin ranks 159th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is up 43.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Benin data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Prevalence rate of obesity in adults. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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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.