Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Korea
Korea: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 8.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Korea, 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 Korea stood at 8.4%. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 6.4% on the previous year and up 82.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Korea peaked at 8.4% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.1%, in 1980.
That places Korea 180th out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1.1% | — |
| 1981 | 1.2% | +2.3% |
| 1982 | 1.2% | +2.5% |
| 1983 | 1.2% | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 1.3% | +2.8% |
| 1985 | 1.3% | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 1.3% | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 1.4% | +3.2% |
| 1988 | 1.4% | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 1.5% | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 1.5% | +3.7% |
| 1991 | 1.6% | +3.9% |
| 1992 | 1.7% | +4.0% |
| 1993 | 1.7% | +4.1% |
| 1994 | 1.8% | +4.1% |
| 1995 | 1.9% | +4.2% |
| 1996 | 2.0% | +4.2% |
| 1997 | 2.0% | +4.3% |
| 1998 | 2.1% | +4.4% |
| 1999 | 2.2% | +4.5% |
| 2000 | 2.3% | +4.6% |
| 2001 | 2.4% | +4.7% |
| 2002 | 2.5% | +4.7% |
| 2003 | 2.7% | +4.7% |
| 2004 | 2.8% | +4.8% |
| 2005 | 2.9% | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 3.1% | +5.0% |
| 2007 | 3.2% | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 3.6% | +5.0% |
| 2010 | 3.7% | +5.0% |
| 2011 | 3.9% | +5.0% |
| 2012 | 4.1% | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 4.3% | +5.3% |
| 2014 | 4.6% | +5.5% |
| 2015 | 4.8% | +5.8% |
| 2016 | 5.1% | +6.0% |
| 2017 | 5.4% | +6.1% |
| 2018 | 5.8% | +6.2% |
| 2019 | 6.1% | +6.3% |
| 2020 | 6.5% | +6.3% |
| 2021 | 6.9% | +6.3% |
| 2022 | 7.4% | +6.4% |
| 2023 | 7.9% | +6.4% |
| 2024 | 8.4% | +6.4% |
Korea compared with similar countries
- Korea's 8.4% is below the median for high income countries, which is 27.7%, 30% of the median. (66 countries reporting)
- Korea's 8.4% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.2%, 35% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.9% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.9% | 2.3% | 3.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.8% | 3.7% | 6.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.4% | 6.5% | 8.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Korea
More health data for Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.43 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.1935 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 69 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.66 % 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 0.0118 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.76 % 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 0.0124 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Korea?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Korea was 8.4% 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 Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 8.4% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.1% in 1980.
- How does Korea rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Korea ranks 180th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 82.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this 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.