Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Gambia
Gambia: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 12.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Gambia, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Gambia stood at 12.4%. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.0% on the previous year and up 51.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Gambia peaked at 12.4% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.7%, in 1980.
Gambia ranks 158th 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 Gambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.7% | — |
| 1981 | 0.8% | +7.0% |
| 1982 | 0.8% | +7.2% |
| 1983 | 0.9% | +7.4% |
| 1984 | 1.0% | +7.4% |
| 1985 | 1.0% | +7.3% |
| 1986 | 1.1% | +7.4% |
| 1987 | 1.2% | +7.4% |
| 1988 | 1.3% | +7.5% |
| 1989 | 1.4% | +7.7% |
| 1990 | 1.5% | +7.8% |
| 1991 | 1.6% | +7.9% |
| 1992 | 1.7% | +8.1% |
| 1993 | 1.9% | +8.5% |
| 1994 | 2.0% | +8.8% |
| 1995 | 2.2% | +9.0% |
| 1996 | 2.4% | +9.3% |
| 1997 | 2.7% | +9.5% |
| 1998 | 2.9% | +9.7% |
| 1999 | 3.2% | +9.7% |
| 2000 | 3.5% | +9.6% |
| 2001 | 3.8% | +9.4% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | +9.0% |
| 2003 | 4.5% | +8.6% |
| 2004 | 4.9% | +8.1% |
| 2005 | 5.3% | +7.5% |
| 2006 | 5.6% | +6.9% |
| 2007 | 6.0% | +6.3% |
| 2008 | 6.3% | +5.7% |
| 2009 | 6.7% | +5.1% |
| 2010 | 7.0% | +4.6% |
| 2011 | 7.3% | +4.2% |
| 2012 | 7.6% | +4.0% |
| 2013 | 7.9% | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 8.2% | +4.1% |
| 2015 | 8.5% | +4.2% |
| 2016 | 8.9% | +4.3% |
| 2017 | 9.3% | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 9.7% | +4.4% |
| 2019 | 10.1% | +4.3% |
| 2020 | 10.5% | +4.3% |
| 2021 | 11.0% | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 11.4% | +4.2% |
| 2023 | 11.9% | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 12.4% | +4.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.0% | 0.7% | 1.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.2% | 1.5% | 3.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.1% | 3.5% | 6.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.4% | 7.0% | 10.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.5% | 10.5% | 12.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Gambia
- 155 Cote d'Ivoire 12.8% compare
- 156 Guinea-Bissau 12.7% compare
- 157 Angola 12.7% compare
- 159 Benin 12.2% compare
- 160 Congo 12.2% compare
- 161 North Korea 12.0% compare
More health data for Gambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.27 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.15 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,044 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 700 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 80 and above, female, per capita 0.0021 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, annual growth rate 5 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per capita 0.0017 units per person (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Gambia?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Gambia was 12.4% 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 Gambia?
- The highest recorded value was 12.4% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Gambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.7% in 1980.
- How does Gambia rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Gambia ranks 158th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in Gambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 51.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Gambia 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.