Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Zambia
Zambia: Prevalence rate of obesity in adults was 11.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Zambia, 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 Zambia is 11.6%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.3% on the previous year and up 52.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Zambia peaked at 11.6% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 1980.
Zambia ranks 165th 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 Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1.6% | — |
| 1981 | 1.6% | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 1.7% | +3.6% |
| 1983 | 1.8% | +3.7% |
| 1984 | 1.8% | +3.9% |
| 1985 | 1.9% | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 2.0% | +4.1% |
| 1987 | 2.1% | +4.2% |
| 1988 | 2.2% | +4.3% |
| 1989 | 2.2% | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 2.3% | +4.5% |
| 1991 | 2.5% | +4.6% |
| 1992 | 2.6% | +4.6% |
| 1993 | 2.7% | +4.7% |
| 1994 | 2.8% | +4.8% |
| 1995 | 3.0% | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 3.1% | +5.2% |
| 1997 | 3.3% | +5.3% |
| 1998 | 3.5% | +5.5% |
| 1999 | 3.7% | +5.6% |
| 2000 | 3.9% | +5.6% |
| 2001 | 4.1% | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 4.3% | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 4.5% | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 4.8% | +5.4% |
| 2005 | 5.0% | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 5.3% | +5.0% |
| 2007 | 5.6% | +4.9% |
| 2008 | 5.8% | +4.7% |
| 2009 | 6.1% | +4.6% |
| 2010 | 6.4% | +4.5% |
| 2011 | 6.6% | +4.5% |
| 2012 | 6.9% | +4.5% |
| 2013 | 7.2% | +4.5% |
| 2014 | 7.6% | +4.5% |
| 2015 | 7.9% | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 8.3% | +4.5% |
| 2017 | 8.6% | +4.4% |
| 2018 | 9.0% | +4.4% |
| 2019 | 9.4% | +4.3% |
| 2020 | 9.8% | +4.3% |
| 2021 | 10.2% | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 10.7% | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 11.1% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | 11.6% | +4.3% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 11.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 16.0%, 72% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 11.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.7%, 91% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.9% | 2.3% | 3.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.9% | 3.9% | 6.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.8% | 6.4% | 9.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.7% | 9.8% | 11.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 8,894 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0744 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Zambia?
- Prevalence rate of obesity in adults in Zambia was 11.6% 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 11.6% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of obesity in adults recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 1980.
- How does Zambia rank for prevalence rate of obesity in adults?
- Zambia ranks 165th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence rate of obesity in adults rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 52.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.