Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 11.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Sri Lanka, 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 Sri Lanka is 11.2%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 4.8% on the previous year and up 70.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Sri Lanka peaked at 11.2% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.5%, in 1980.
That places Sri Lanka 169th 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 Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.5% | — |
| 1981 | 0.5% | +7.8% |
| 1982 | 0.6% | +7.9% |
| 1983 | 0.6% | +8.1% |
| 1984 | 0.7% | +8.2% |
| 1985 | 0.7% | +8.2% |
| 1986 | 0.8% | +8.3% |
| 1987 | 0.8% | +8.3% |
| 1988 | 0.9% | +8.4% |
| 1989 | 1.0% | +8.4% |
| 1990 | 1.1% | +8.4% |
| 1991 | 1.2% | +8.4% |
| 1992 | 1.3% | +8.4% |
| 1993 | 1.4% | +8.4% |
| 1994 | 1.5% | +8.4% |
| 1995 | 1.6% | +8.4% |
| 1996 | 1.8% | +8.4% |
| 1997 | 1.9% | +8.4% |
| 1998 | 2.1% | +8.5% |
| 1999 | 2.2% | +8.5% |
| 2000 | 2.4% | +8.4% |
| 2001 | 2.6% | +8.3% |
| 2002 | 2.8% | +8.2% |
| 2003 | 3.1% | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 3.3% | +8.0% |
| 2005 | 3.6% | +7.8% |
| 2006 | 3.9% | +7.6% |
| 2007 | 4.1% | +7.5% |
| 2008 | 4.4% | +7.3% |
| 2009 | 4.8% | +7.2% |
| 2010 | 5.1% | +7.0% |
| 2011 | 5.4% | +6.8% |
| 2012 | 5.8% | +6.6% |
| 2013 | 6.2% | +6.5% |
| 2014 | 6.6% | +6.4% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 7.4% | +6.2% |
| 2017 | 7.9% | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 8.3% | +5.7% |
| 2019 | 8.8% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 9.2% | +5.3% |
| 2021 | 9.7% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | 10.2% | +5.0% |
| 2023 | 10.7% | +4.9% |
| 2024 | 11.2% | +4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.7% | 0.5% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.6% | 1.1% | 2.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.5% | 2.4% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.8% | 5.1% | 8.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.2% | 9.2% | 11.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
- 166 Tanzania, United Republic of 11.5% compare
- 167 Switzerland 11.3% compare
- 168 Kenya 11.3% compare
- 170 France 11.2% compare
- 171 Haiti 11.1% compare
- 172 Central African Republic 10.9% compare
More health data for Sri Lanka
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.62 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7332 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,250 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 304 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 0-14, female, annual growth rate -2.27 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per capita 0.1064 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, annual growth rate -2.16 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per capita 0.1106 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Sri Lanka?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Sri Lanka was 11.2% 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 11.2% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.5% in 1980.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Sri Lanka ranks 169th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 70.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.