Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Malaysia
Malaysia: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 23.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Malaysia, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Malaysia recorded 23.3% for prevalence rate of obesity in adults in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.9% on the previous year and up 36.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Malaysia peaked at 23.3% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2.8%, in 1980.
Malaysia ranks 93rd of 199 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 2.8% | — |
| 1981 | 2.9% | +6.3% |
| 1982 | 3.1% | +6.4% |
| 1983 | 3.3% | +6.4% |
| 1984 | 3.5% | +6.4% |
| 1985 | 3.8% | +6.4% |
| 1986 | 4.0% | +6.4% |
| 1987 | 4.3% | +6.4% |
| 1988 | 4.5% | +6.4% |
| 1989 | 4.8% | +6.4% |
| 1990 | 5.1% | +6.3% |
| 1991 | 5.5% | +6.3% |
| 1992 | 5.8% | +6.2% |
| 1993 | 6.1% | +6.2% |
| 1994 | 6.5% | +6.1% |
| 1995 | 6.9% | +6.1% |
| 1996 | 7.3% | +6.0% |
| 1997 | 7.8% | +6.0% |
| 1998 | 8.2% | +6.0% |
| 1999 | 8.7% | +5.9% |
| 2000 | 9.2% | +5.9% |
| 2001 | 9.8% | +5.7% |
| 2002 | 10.3% | +5.6% |
| 2003 | 10.9% | +5.4% |
| 2004 | 11.5% | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 12.0% | +5.0% |
| 2006 | 12.6% | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 13.2% | +4.6% |
| 2008 | 13.8% | +4.4% |
| 2009 | 14.3% | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 14.9% | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 15.5% | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 16.0% | +3.6% |
| 2013 | 16.6% | +3.5% |
| 2014 | 17.2% | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 17.7% | +3.4% |
| 2016 | 18.3% | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 18.9% | +3.2% |
| 2018 | 19.5% | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 20.1% | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 20.7% | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 21.4% | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 22.0% | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 22.7% | +3.0% |
| 2024 | 23.3% | +2.9% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 23.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 27.2%, 86% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 23.3% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.2%, 96% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.7% | 2.8% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.8% | 5.1% | 8.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 11.8% | 9.2% | 14.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.5% | 14.9% | 20.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.0% | 20.7% | 23.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More health data for Malaysia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.9119 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.2888 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 652 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 18 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7207 % 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 0.0297 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.5991 % 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 0.0316 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Malaysia?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Malaysia was 23.3% 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.3% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8% in 1980.
- How does Malaysia rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Malaysia ranks 93rd out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.