Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in North Korea
North Korea: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 12.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in North Korea, 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 North Korea is 12.0%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.7% on the previous year and up 62.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in North Korea peaked at 12.0% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.3%, in 1980.
North Korea ranks 161st 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 North Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1.3% | — |
| 1981 | 1.4% | +4.5% |
| 1982 | 1.4% | +4.6% |
| 1983 | 1.5% | +4.7% |
| 1984 | 1.6% | +4.8% |
| 1985 | 1.6% | +4.9% |
| 1986 | 1.7% | +5.0% |
| 1987 | 1.8% | +5.1% |
| 1988 | 1.9% | +5.1% |
| 1989 | 2.0% | +5.2% |
| 1990 | 2.1% | +5.2% |
| 1991 | 2.2% | +5.2% |
| 1992 | 2.3% | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 2.5% | +5.2% |
| 1994 | 2.6% | +5.2% |
| 1995 | 2.7% | +5.2% |
| 1996 | 2.9% | +5.3% |
| 1997 | 3.0% | +5.3% |
| 1998 | 3.2% | +5.3% |
| 1999 | 3.3% | +5.4% |
| 2000 | 3.5% | +5.4% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | +5.4% |
| 2002 | 3.9% | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 4.1% | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 4.4% | +5.5% |
| 2005 | 4.6% | +5.5% |
| 2006 | 4.8% | +5.5% |
| 2007 | 5.1% | +5.5% |
| 2008 | 5.4% | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 5.7% | +5.4% |
| 2010 | 6.0% | +5.3% |
| 2011 | 6.3% | +5.3% |
| 2012 | 6.6% | +5.2% |
| 2013 | 7.0% | +5.2% |
| 2014 | 7.3% | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 7.7% | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 8.1% | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 8.6% | +5.2% |
| 2018 | 9.0% | +5.1% |
| 2019 | 9.4% | +5.0% |
| 2020 | 9.9% | +5.0% |
| 2021 | 10.4% | +4.9% |
| 2022 | 10.9% | +4.8% |
| 2023 | 11.4% | +4.8% |
| 2024 | 12.0% | +4.7% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 12.0% is above the median for low income countries, which is 9.5%, 1.3× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 12.0% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.2%, 49% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.6% | 1.3% | 2.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.7% | 2.1% | 3.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.5% | 3.5% | 5.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.6% | 6.0% | 9.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.9% | 9.9% | 12.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More health data for North Korea
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2456 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.16 % change on previous year (2100)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 767 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, annual growth rate 2.07 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, annual growth rate 0.1972 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per capita 0.0972 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, total, annual growth rate 0.1729 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, total, per capita 0.1893 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, per capita 0.3438 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, annual growth rate -0.123 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in North Korea?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in North Korea was 12.0% 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 North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 12.0% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.3% in 1980.
- How does North Korea rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- North Korea ranks 161st out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 62.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea 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.