Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in China
China: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 9.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in China, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
China recorded 9.3% for prevalence rate of obesity in adults in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 6.2% on the previous year and up 83.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in China peaked at 9.3% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.8%, in 1980.
China ranks 177th 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 China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.8% | — |
| 1981 | 0.9% | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 0.9% | +3.7% |
| 1983 | 0.9% | +4.0% |
| 1984 | 1.0% | +4.2% |
| 1985 | 1.0% | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 1.1% | +4.7% |
| 1987 | 1.1% | +4.9% |
| 1988 | 1.2% | +5.1% |
| 1989 | 1.3% | +5.3% |
| 1990 | 1.3% | +5.4% |
| 1991 | 1.4% | +5.5% |
| 1992 | 1.5% | +5.5% |
| 1993 | 1.6% | +5.5% |
| 1994 | 1.6% | +5.4% |
| 1995 | 1.7% | +5.3% |
| 1996 | 1.8% | +5.2% |
| 1997 | 1.9% | +5.2% |
| 1998 | 2.0% | +5.2% |
| 1999 | 2.1% | +5.3% |
| 2000 | 2.2% | +5.3% |
| 2001 | 2.3% | +5.3% |
| 2002 | 2.5% | +5.3% |
| 2003 | 2.6% | +5.4% |
| 2004 | 2.7% | +5.6% |
| 2005 | 2.9% | +5.9% |
| 2006 | 3.1% | +6.1% |
| 2007 | 3.3% | +6.3% |
| 2008 | 3.5% | +6.5% |
| 2009 | 3.7% | +6.5% |
| 2010 | 4.0% | +6.4% |
| 2011 | 4.2% | +6.3% |
| 2012 | 4.5% | +6.3% |
| 2013 | 4.7% | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 5.1% | +6.4% |
| 2015 | 5.4% | +6.5% |
| 2016 | 5.7% | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 6.1% | +6.3% |
| 2018 | 6.5% | +6.3% |
| 2019 | 6.9% | +6.2% |
| 2020 | 7.3% | +6.2% |
| 2021 | 7.7% | +6.2% |
| 2022 | 8.2% | +6.2% |
| 2023 | 8.7% | +6.2% |
| 2024 | 9.3% | +6.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 9.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 27.2%, 34% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 9.3% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.2%, 38% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.0% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.7% | 1.3% | 2.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.9% | 2.2% | 3.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.3% | 4.0% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.3% | 7.3% | 9.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More health data for China
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.0985 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,642 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 10 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -8.22 % 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 0.0159 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -8.73 % 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 0.0176 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in China?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in China was 9.3% 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 9.3% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8% in 1980.
- How does China rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- China ranks 177th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 83.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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.