Average BMI for Adults 2014
The average BMI for adults provides insight into a country's health trends, highlighting potential obesity issues.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cook Islands | 32.5 kg/m² | |
2 | Nauru | 32.3 kg/m² | |
3 | Niue | 31.3 kg/m² | |
4 | Tonga | 30.5 kg/m² | |
5 | Samoa | 30.2 kg/m² | |
6 | Tuvalu | 29.9 kg/m² | |
7 | Palau | 29.5 kg/m² | |
8 | Saint Lucia | 29.2 kg/m² | |
9 | Kiribati | 28.9 kg/m² | |
10 | Kuwait | 28.8 kg/m² | |
11 | United States | 28.8 kg/m² | |
12 | Marshall Islands | 28.7 kg/m² | |
13 | Qatar | 28.6 kg/m² | |
14 | Hungary | 28 kg/m² | |
15 | Jordan | 28 kg/m² | |
16 | Micronesia (Fed. States of) | 28 kg/m² | |
17 | New Zealand | 28 kg/m² | |
18 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 28 kg/m² | |
19 | United Arab Emirates | 27.9 kg/m² | |
20 | Czech Republic | 27.8 kg/m² | |
21 | Ireland | 27.8 kg/m² | |
22 | Saudi Arabia | 27.8 kg/m² | |
23 | Croatia | 27.7 kg/m² | |
24 | Lebanon | 27.7 kg/m² | |
25 | Malta | 27.7 kg/m² | |
26 | Argentina | 27.6 kg/m² | |
27 | Chile | 27.6 kg/m² | |
28 | Egypt | 27.6 kg/m² | |
29 | Australia | 27.5 kg/m² | |
30 | Cyprus | 27.5 kg/m² | |
31 | Iraq | 27.5 kg/m² | |
32 | Greece | 27.4 kg/m² | |
33 | Israel | 27.4 kg/m² | |
34 | Andorra | 27.3 kg/m² | |
35 | Belize | 27.3 kg/m² | |
36 | Canada | 27.3 kg/m² | |
37 | Mexico | 27.3 kg/m² | |
38 | United Kingdom | 27.3 kg/m² | |
39 | Georgia | 27.2 kg/m² | |
40 | Germany | 27.2 kg/m² | |
41 | Norway | 27.2 kg/m² | |
42 | Slovakia | 27.2 kg/m² | |
43 | Syrian Arab Republic | 27.2 kg/m² | |
44 | North Macedonia | 27.1 kg/m² | |
45 | Poland | 27.1 kg/m² | |
46 | Uruguay | 27.1 kg/m² | |
47 | Spain | 27 kg/m² | |
48 | Bahamas | 26.9 kg/m² | |
49 | Brunei Darussalam | 26.9 kg/m² | |
50 | Bulgaria | 26.9 kg/m² | |
51 | Iceland | 26.9 kg/m² | |
52 | Lithuania | 26.9 kg/m² | |
53 | Luxembourg | 26.9 kg/m² | |
54 | Turkey | 26.9 kg/m² | |
55 | Albania | 26.8 kg/m² | |
56 | Estonia | 26.8 kg/m² | |
57 | Latvia | 26.8 kg/m² | |
58 | Montenegro | 26.8 kg/m² | |
59 | Ukraine | 26.8 kg/m² | |
60 | El Salvador | 26.7 kg/m² | |
61 | Libya | 26.7 kg/m² | |
62 | Romania | 26.7 kg/m² | |
63 | Costa Rica | 26.6 kg/m² | |
64 | Sweden | 26.6 kg/m² | |
65 | Switzerland | 26.6 kg/m² | |
66 | Venezuela | 26.6 kg/m² | |
67 | Austria | 26.5 kg/m² | |
68 | Belgium | 26.5 kg/m² | |
69 | Italy | 26.5 kg/m² | |
70 | Serbia | 26.5 kg/m² | |
71 | Ecuador | 26.4 kg/m² | |
72 | Fiji | 26.4 kg/m² | |
73 | Finland | 26.4 kg/m² | |
74 | Republic of Moldova | 26.4 kg/m² | |
75 | Nicaragua | 26.4 kg/m² | |
76 | Slovenia | 26.4 kg/m² | |
77 | Trinidad and Tobago | 26.4 kg/m² | |
78 | Belarus | 26.3 kg/m² | |
79 | Paraguay | 26.3 kg/m² | |
80 | Turkmenistan | 26.3 kg/m² | |
81 | Barbados | 26.2 kg/m² | |
82 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 26.2 kg/m² | |
83 | Haiti | 26.2 kg/m² | |
84 | Oman | 26.2 kg/m² | |
85 | Brazil | 26.1 kg/m² | |
86 | Denmark | 26.1 kg/m² | |
87 | Kazakhstan | 26.1 kg/m² | |
88 | Panama | 26.1 kg/m² | |
89 | Portugal | 26.1 kg/m² | |
90 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 26.1 kg/m² | |
91 | Peru | 26 kg/m² | |
92 | Uzbekistan | 26 kg/m² | |
93 | Azerbaijan | 25.9 kg/m² | |
94 | France | 25.9 kg/m² | |
95 | Netherlands | 25.9 kg/m² | |
96 | Honduras | 25.7 kg/m² | |
97 | Kyrgyzstan | 25.7 kg/m² | |
98 | Russia | 25.7 kg/m² | |
99 | Colombia | 25.6 kg/m² | |
100 | Guatemala | 25.6 kg/m² | |
101 | Jamaica | 25.6 kg/m² | |
102 | Mongolia | 25.6 kg/m² | |
103 | Tajikistan | 25.6 kg/m² | |
104 | Antigua and Barbuda | 25.5 kg/m² | |
105 | Solomon Islands | 25.5 kg/m² | |
106 | Vanuatu | 25.5 kg/m² | |
107 | Armenia | 25.4 kg/m² | |
108 | Dominican Republic | 25.4 kg/m² | |
109 | Seychelles | 25.4 kg/m² | |
110 | Tunisia | 25.3 kg/m² | |
111 | Morocco | 25.2 kg/m² | |
112 | Papua New Guinea | 25.2 kg/m² | |
113 | Suriname | 25.2 kg/m² | |
114 | Bolivia | 25.1 kg/m² | |
115 | Cuba | 25.1 kg/m² | |
116 | Iran | 25.1 kg/m² | |
117 | Malaysia | 25.1 kg/m² | |
118 | Grenada | 25 kg/m² | |
119 | Guyana | 24.9 kg/m² | |
120 | South Africa | 24.9 kg/m² | |
121 | Bahrain | 24.8 kg/m² | |
122 | Dominica | 24.8 kg/m² | |
123 | Algeria | 24.6 kg/m² | |
124 | Mauritius | 24.5 kg/m² | |
125 | Eswatini | 24.3 kg/m² | |
126 | Maldives | 24.3 kg/m² | |
127 | South Korea | 24.3 kg/m² | |
128 | Singapore | 24.2 kg/m² | |
129 | North Korea | 24 kg/m² | |
130 | China | 23.9 kg/m² | |
131 | Gabon | 23.9 kg/m² | |
132 | Sao Tome and Principe | 23.8 kg/m² | |
133 | Thailand | 23.7 kg/m² | |
134 | Cabo Verde | 23.6 kg/m² | |
135 | Cameroon | 23.5 kg/m² | |
136 | Japan | 23.5 kg/m² | |
137 | Yemen | 23.4 kg/m² | |
138 | Bhutan | 23.3 kg/m² | |
139 | Côte d'Ivoire | 23.3 kg/m² | |
140 | Djibouti | 23.3 kg/m² | |
141 | Comoros | 23.2 kg/m² | |
142 | Gambia | 23.2 kg/m² | |
143 | Mauritania | 23.2 kg/m² | |
144 | Liberia | 23.1 kg/m² | |
145 | Pakistan | 23.1 kg/m² | |
146 | Mali | 22.8 kg/m² | |
147 | Namibia | 22.8 kg/m² | |
148 | Guinea-Bissau | 22.7 kg/m² | |
149 | Philippines | 22.7 kg/m² | |
150 | Lesotho | 22.6 kg/m² | |
151 | Benin | 22.5 kg/m² | |
152 | Ghana | 22.5 kg/m² | |
153 | Laos | 22.5 kg/m² | |
154 | Nigeria | 22.5 kg/m² | |
155 | Afghanistan | 22.4 kg/m² | |
156 | Botswana | 22.4 kg/m² | |
157 | Malawi | 22.4 kg/m² | |
158 | Somalia | 22.4 kg/m² | |
159 | Togo | 22.4 kg/m² | |
160 | Guinea | 22.3 kg/m² | |
161 | Indonesia | 22.3 kg/m² | |
162 | Nepal | 22.3 kg/m² | |
163 | Sri Lanka | 22.3 kg/m² | |
164 | Angola | 22.2 kg/m² | |
165 | Congo | 22.2 kg/m² | |
166 | Equatorial Guinea | 22.2 kg/m² | |
167 | Tanzania | 22.2 kg/m² | |
168 | Zimbabwe | 22.2 kg/m² | |
169 | Burkina Faso | 22.1 kg/m² | |
170 | Kenya | 22.1 kg/m² | |
171 | Myanmar | 22 kg/m² | |
172 | Cambodia | 21.9 kg/m² | |
173 | Central African Republic | 21.9 kg/m² | |
174 | Mozambique | 21.9 kg/m² | |
175 | Sierra Leone | 21.9 kg/m² | |
176 | Chad | 21.8 kg/m² | |
177 | Burundi | 21.7 kg/m² | |
178 | Senegal | 21.7 kg/m² | |
179 | India | 21.6 kg/m² | |
180 | Vietnam | 21.6 kg/m² | |
181 | Madagascar | 21.4 kg/m² | |
182 | Uganda | 21.4 kg/m² | |
183 | Niger | 21.3 kg/m² | |
184 | Bangladesh | 21.2 kg/m² | |
185 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 21.2 kg/m² | |
186 | Rwanda | 21.2 kg/m² | |
187 | Zambia | 21.2 kg/m² | |
188 | Timor-Leste | 21.1 kg/m² | |
189 | Eritrea | 20.2 kg/m² | |
190 | Ethiopia | 20 kg/m² |
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #190
Ethiopia
- #189
Eritrea
- #188
Timor-Leste
- #187
Zambia
- #186
Rwanda
- #185
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- #184
Bangladesh
- #183
Niger
- #182
Uganda
- #181
Madagascar
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2014, the Average BMI for Adults was highest in the Cook Islands with a BMI of 32.5 and lowest in Ethiopia at 20.0. This year, the global range of BMI values spanned from 20.00 to 32.50, providing a broad view of health trends across different regions. The overall global average BMI was 25.32, offering a baseline for understanding obesity trends worldwide.
Pacific Island Nations and High BMI Levels
The prevalence of high BMI values in Pacific Island nations is a notable trend, with the Cook Islands (32.5), Nauru (32.3), and Niue (31.3) leading the list. These elevated figures can be attributed to a combination of factors, including limited access to fresh produce and a shift towards more calorie-dense imported foods. The traditional diets of these regions have been significantly altered, leading to increased obesity rates. Furthermore, genetic predispositions within these populations may also play a role in higher average BMI levels.
Low BMI Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa
Conversely, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Ethiopia (20.0) and Eritrea (20.2), report some of the lowest BMI values. These figures reflect broader issues of food insecurity and undernutrition, which are prevalent in these regions. Economic challenges, coupled with limited healthcare resources, exacerbate these conditions. The disparity in BMI values between these regions and Pacific Island nations underscores the significant impact of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes.
Year-over-Year BMI Changes
While the average global BMI change was modest at 0.07 (0.3%), certain countries experienced more significant shifts. Saint Lucia noted the largest increase of 0.30 (1.0%), suggesting a rapid change in dietary habits or lifestyle. Similarly, Brazil, Mongolia, and Vietnam each saw increases of 0.20 in their average BMI, indicating possible urbanization and lifestyle changes leading to higher caloric intake. On the opposite end, Eritrea and Portugal each experienced a decrease of 0.10, pointing to potential improvements in nutritional policies or health initiatives promoting better diets.
Socioeconomic Factors and Their Influence
The data reveals that socioeconomic factors significantly influence BMI trends. For instance, higher BMI values in developed countries like the United States (28.8) contrast with those in less developed regions. Economic prosperity often correlates with increased consumption of processed and high-calorie foods. In contrast, lower-income countries might struggle with undernutrition, reflected in their lower BMI values. This disparity highlights the need for targeted health interventions and policies that address both extremes of the BMI spectrum.
In conclusion, the Average BMI for Adults in 2014 offers a nuanced view of global health, with stark contrasts between different regions. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing effective public health strategies and addressing the diverse challenges related to nutrition and health worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Average BMI for Adults in 2014
Which country had the highest average BMI for adults in 2014?
The Cook Islands had the highest average BMI for adults in 2014, with a value of 32.5 kg/m².
What was the average BMI for adults across all countries in 2014?
The average BMI for adults across all countries in 2014 was 25.32 kg/m².
Which country had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2014?
Ethiopia had the lowest average BMI for adults in 2014, with a value of 20 kg/m².
What was the median BMI value for countries in 2014?
The median BMI value for countries in 2014 was 25.8 kg/m².
What is the range of average BMI values for adults by country in 2014?
The range of average BMI values for adults by country in 2014 spans from 20 kg/m² in Ethiopia to 32.5 kg/m² in the Cook Islands.
Which countries were in the top 3 for highest average BMI for adults in 2014?
The top 3 countries for highest average BMI for adults in 2014 were Cook Islands, Nauru, and Niue.
Insights by country
Lesotho
In 2014, Lesotho had an average BMI for adults of 22.6 kg/m², ranking #150 out of 190 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to many countries in Southern Africa, where higher BMI values are more common due to dietary habits and lifestyle factors.
The average BMI in Lesotho is influenced by the country's high levels of poverty and food insecurity, which limit access to nutritious food. Additionally, the mountainous terrain and rural population contribute to lower levels of physical inactivity, impacting overall body weight.
France
In 2014, France had an Average BMI for Adults of 25.9 kg/m², ranking #94 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the European average, indicating a growing concern regarding obesity rates in the region. Contributing factors include a shift towards more sedentary lifestyles and dietary changes influenced by globalization, despite France's renowned culinary traditions that emphasize fresh and balanced meals.
Nigeria
Nigeria's **Average BMI for Adults** in 2014 was **22.5 kg/m²**, ranking **#154 out of 190 countries**. This figure is below the global average, indicating a prevalence of undernutrition in comparison to higher-ranking nations. Contributing factors include economic challenges, limited access to nutritious food, and a high rate of poverty, which affect dietary habits and overall health outcomes in the population.
North Korea
In 2014, North Korea had an average BMI for adults of 24 kg/m², ranking #129 out of 190 countries. This figure is relatively close to the global average, indicating a moderate level of adult body mass index compared to other nations. Economic challenges and food scarcity in the region significantly impact nutritional intake, contributing to this BMI level.
Seychelles
Seychelles had an Average BMI for Adults of 25.4 kg/m² in 2014, ranking #109 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the global average, indicating a trend toward higher body mass indices in the region. Contributing factors include the nation's reliance on imported foods, which often include high-calorie options, alongside a lifestyle influenced by tourism that may prioritize convenience over nutrition.
Finland
In 2014, Finland had an Average BMI for Adults of 26.4 kg/m², ranking #73 out of 190 countries. This figure is slightly above the European average, indicating a trend of increasing weight among adults in the region. Contributing factors include Finland's high standard of living, which often correlates with sedentary lifestyles and dietary changes influenced by global food trends.
Japan
In 2014, Japan had an average BMI for adults of 23.5 kg/m², ranking #136 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a healthier weight profile compared to many nations. Contributing factors include Japan's traditional dietary habits, which emphasize fish, rice, and vegetables, alongside a strong cultural focus on physical activity and public health initiatives.
Uruguay
In 2014, Uruguay ranked #46 globally for Average BMI for Adults, with a value of 27.1 kg/m². This figure is higher than the regional average in South America, indicating a notable prevalence of overweight and obesity issues. Contributing factors include urbanization, dietary shifts towards processed foods, and a lifestyle that has increasingly become sedentary in urban areas.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia's Average BMI for Adults in 2014 was 20 kg/m², ranking it #190 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating significant nutritional challenges. Contributing factors include widespread poverty, limited access to healthcare, and a reliance on subsistence agriculture, which affects food diversity and availability.
Kazakhstan
In 2014, Kazakhstan had an Average BMI for Adults of 26.1 kg/m², ranking #87 out of 190 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a trend of increasing overweight and obesity rates in the region. Contributing factors include urbanization, dietary changes towards more calorie-dense foods, and a lifestyle shift towards less physical activity, particularly in urban areas.
Data Source
Mean body mass index (BMI) in men | Our World in Data
Our World in Data is a research organization that provides comprehensive global statistics on various topics, including health, economics, and environment. The dataset on mean body mass index (BMI) in men presents country-level statistics on the average BMI of adult males across different nations.
Visit Data SourceHistorical Data by Year
Explore Average BMI for Adults data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.