Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in India
India: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 8.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in India, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence rate of obesity in adults in India is 8.0%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 5.1% on the previous year and up 75.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in India peaked at 8.0% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 1980.
India ranks 183rd 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 India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.3% | — |
| 1981 | 0.3% | +9.2% |
| 1982 | 0.4% | +9.2% |
| 1983 | 0.4% | +9.2% |
| 1984 | 0.5% | +9.1% |
| 1985 | 0.5% | +9.1% |
| 1986 | 0.5% | +9.0% |
| 1987 | 0.6% | +8.9% |
| 1988 | 0.6% | +8.9% |
| 1989 | 0.7% | +8.8% |
| 1990 | 0.8% | +8.8% |
| 1991 | 0.8% | +8.7% |
| 1992 | 0.9% | +8.7% |
| 1993 | 1.0% | +8.6% |
| 1994 | 1.0% | +8.6% |
| 1995 | 1.1% | +8.6% |
| 1996 | 1.2% | +8.7% |
| 1997 | 1.3% | +8.8% |
| 1998 | 1.5% | +8.9% |
| 1999 | 1.6% | +8.9% |
| 2000 | 1.7% | +8.8% |
| 2001 | 1.9% | +8.6% |
| 2002 | 2.0% | +8.4% |
| 2003 | 2.2% | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 2.4% | +7.9% |
| 2005 | 2.6% | +7.6% |
| 2006 | 2.8% | +7.3% |
| 2007 | 2.9% | +7.1% |
| 2008 | 3.2% | +6.9% |
| 2009 | 3.4% | +6.7% |
| 2010 | 3.6% | +6.5% |
| 2011 | 3.8% | +6.3% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | +6.3% |
| 2013 | 4.3% | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 4.6% | +6.3% |
| 2015 | 4.9% | +6.4% |
| 2016 | 5.2% | +6.4% |
| 2017 | 5.5% | +6.3% |
| 2018 | 5.8% | +6.0% |
| 2019 | 6.2% | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 6.5% | +5.6% |
| 2021 | 6.9% | +5.5% |
| 2022 | 7.2% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | 7.6% | +5.2% |
| 2024 | 8.0% | +5.1% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 8.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 16.0%, 50% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- India's 8.0% is below the median for South Asia, which is 9.6%, 83% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.1% | 0.8% | 1.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.5% | 1.7% | 3.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.8% | 3.6% | 6.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.3% | 6.5% | 8.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More health data for India
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.4372 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 44,822 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.3809 % 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 0.0372 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.5922 % 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 0.04 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in India?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in India was 8.0% 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 8.0% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 1980.
- How does India rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- India ranks 183rd out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 75.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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.