Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in South Africa
South Africa: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 31.8% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in South Africa, 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 South Africa is 31.8%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 9.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in South Africa peaked at 31.8% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 10.7%, in 1980.
That places South Africa 51st out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 45 years of available data.
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 10.7% | — |
| 1981 | 11.0% | +3.6% |
| 1982 | 11.4% | +3.6% |
| 1983 | 11.8% | +3.6% |
| 1984 | 12.3% | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 12.7% | +3.6% |
| 1986 | 13.2% | +3.6% |
| 1987 | 13.7% | +3.6% |
| 1988 | 14.2% | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 14.7% | +3.7% |
| 1990 | 15.2% | +3.6% |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +3.6% |
| 1992 | 16.4% | +4.2% |
| 1993 | 16.9% | +2.7% |
| 1994 | 17.5% | +4.1% |
| 1995 | 18.6% | +6.0% |
| 1996 | 19.6% | +5.4% |
| 1997 | 20.5% | +4.6% |
| 1998 | 21.2% | +3.3% |
| 1999 | 21.9% | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 22.6% | +3.1% |
| 2001 | 23.2% | +3.0% |
| 2002 | 23.9% | +2.8% |
| 2003 | 24.5% | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 25.2% | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 25.8% | +2.4% |
| 2006 | 26.3% | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 26.8% | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 27.3% | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 27.7% | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 28.1% | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 28.4% | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 28.6% | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 28.8% | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 29.1% | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 29.3% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 29.6% | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 29.8% | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 30.1% | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 30.3% | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 30.6% | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 30.8% | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 31.1% | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 31.4% | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 31.8% | +1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 12.6% | 10.7% | 14.7% | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.4% | 15.2% | 21.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.3% | 22.6% | 27.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 29.2% | 28.1% | 30.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 31.2% | 30.6% | 31.8% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 65-69, male, annual growth rate 2.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per capita 0.0116 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, annual growth rate 4.91 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per capita 0.0115 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in South Africa?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in South Africa was 31.8% 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 31.8% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.7% in 1980.
- How does South Africa rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- South Africa ranks 51st out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa 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.