Average BMI for Adults 2014

The average BMI for adults provides insight into a country's health trends, highlighting potential obesity issues.

190 data pointsGlobal CoverageMean body mass index (BMI) in men | Our World in Data

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
32.5 kg/m²
2
Nauru flag
Nauru
32.3 kg/m²
3
Niue flag
Niue
31.3 kg/m²
4
Tonga flag
Tonga
30.5 kg/m²
5
Samoa flag
Samoa
30.2 kg/m²
6
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
29.9 kg/m²
7
Palau flag
Palau
29.5 kg/m²
8
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
29.2 kg/m²
9
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
28.9 kg/m²
10
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
28.8 kg/m²
11
United States flag
United States
28.8 kg/m²
12
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
28.7 kg/m²
13
Qatar flag
Qatar
28.6 kg/m²
14
Hungary flag
Hungary
28 kg/m²
15
Jordan flag
Jordan
28 kg/m²
16
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
28 kg/m²
17
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
28 kg/m²
18
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
28 kg/m²
19
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
27.9 kg/m²
20
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
27.8 kg/m²
21
Ireland flag
Ireland
27.8 kg/m²
22
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
27.8 kg/m²
23
Croatia flag
Croatia
27.7 kg/m²
24
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
27.7 kg/m²
25
Malta flag
Malta
27.7 kg/m²
26
Argentina flag
Argentina
27.6 kg/m²
27
Chile flag
Chile
27.6 kg/m²
28
Egypt flag
Egypt
27.6 kg/m²
29
Australia flag
Australia
27.5 kg/m²
30
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
27.5 kg/m²
31
Iraq flag
Iraq
27.5 kg/m²
32
Greece flag
Greece
27.4 kg/m²
33
Israel flag
Israel
27.4 kg/m²
34
Andorra flag
Andorra
27.3 kg/m²
35
Belize flag
Belize
27.3 kg/m²
36
Canada flag
Canada
27.3 kg/m²
37
Mexico flag
Mexico
27.3 kg/m²
38
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
27.3 kg/m²
39
Georgia flag
Georgia
27.2 kg/m²
40
Germany flag
Germany
27.2 kg/m²
41
Norway flag
Norway
27.2 kg/m²
42
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
27.2 kg/m²
43
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
27.2 kg/m²
44
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
27.1 kg/m²
45
Poland flag
Poland
27.1 kg/m²
46
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
27.1 kg/m²
47
Spain flag
Spain
27 kg/m²
48
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
26.9 kg/m²
49
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
26.9 kg/m²
50
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
26.9 kg/m²
51
Iceland flag
Iceland
26.9 kg/m²
52
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
26.9 kg/m²
53
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
26.9 kg/m²
54
Turkey flag
Turkey
26.9 kg/m²
55
Albania flag
Albania
26.8 kg/m²
56
Estonia flag
Estonia
26.8 kg/m²
57
Latvia flag
Latvia
26.8 kg/m²
58
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
26.8 kg/m²
59
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
26.8 kg/m²
60
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
26.7 kg/m²
61
Libya flag
Libya
26.7 kg/m²
62
Romania flag
Romania
26.7 kg/m²
63
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
26.6 kg/m²
64
Sweden flag
Sweden
26.6 kg/m²
65
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
26.6 kg/m²
66
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
26.6 kg/m²
67
Austria flag
Austria
26.5 kg/m²
68
Belgium flag
Belgium
26.5 kg/m²
69
Italy flag
Italy
26.5 kg/m²
70
Serbia flag
Serbia
26.5 kg/m²
71
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
26.4 kg/m²
72
Fiji flag
Fiji
26.4 kg/m²
73
Finland flag
Finland
26.4 kg/m²
74
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
26.4 kg/m²
75
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
26.4 kg/m²
76
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
26.4 kg/m²
77
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
26.4 kg/m²
78
Belarus flag
Belarus
26.3 kg/m²
79
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
26.3 kg/m²
80
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
26.3 kg/m²
81
Barbados flag
Barbados
26.2 kg/m²
82
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
26.2 kg/m²
83
Haiti flag
Haiti
26.2 kg/m²
84
Oman flag
Oman
26.2 kg/m²
85
Brazil flag
Brazil
26.1 kg/m²
86
Denmark flag
Denmark
26.1 kg/m²
87
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
26.1 kg/m²
88
Panama flag
Panama
26.1 kg/m²
89
Portugal flag
Portugal
26.1 kg/m²
90
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
26.1 kg/m²
91
Peru flag
Peru
26 kg/m²
92
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
26 kg/m²
93
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
25.9 kg/m²
94
France flag
France
25.9 kg/m²
95
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
25.9 kg/m²
96
Honduras flag
Honduras
25.7 kg/m²
97
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
25.7 kg/m²
98
Russia flag
Russia
25.7 kg/m²
99
Colombia flag
Colombia
25.6 kg/m²
100
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
25.6 kg/m²
101
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
25.6 kg/m²
102
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
25.6 kg/m²
103
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
25.6 kg/m²
104
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
25.5 kg/m²
105
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
25.5 kg/m²
106
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
25.5 kg/m²
107
Armenia flag
Armenia
25.4 kg/m²
108
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
25.4 kg/m²
109
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
25.4 kg/m²
110
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
25.3 kg/m²
111
Morocco flag
Morocco
25.2 kg/m²
112
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
25.2 kg/m²
113
Suriname flag
Suriname
25.2 kg/m²
114
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
25.1 kg/m²
115
Cuba flag
Cuba
25.1 kg/m²
116
Iran flag
Iran
25.1 kg/m²
117
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
25.1 kg/m²
118
Grenada flag
Grenada
25 kg/m²
119
Guyana flag
Guyana
24.9 kg/m²
120
South Africa flag
South Africa
24.9 kg/m²
121
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
24.8 kg/m²
122
Dominica flag
Dominica
24.8 kg/m²
123
Algeria flag
Algeria
24.6 kg/m²
124
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
24.5 kg/m²
125
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
24.3 kg/m²
126
Maldives flag
Maldives
24.3 kg/m²
127
South Korea flag
South Korea
24.3 kg/m²
128
Singapore flag
Singapore
24.2 kg/m²
129
North Korea flag
North Korea
24 kg/m²
130
China flag
China
23.9 kg/m²
131
Gabon flag
Gabon
23.9 kg/m²
132
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
23.8 kg/m²
133
Thailand flag
Thailand
23.7 kg/m²
134
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
23.6 kg/m²
135
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
23.5 kg/m²
136
Japan flag
Japan
23.5 kg/m²
137
Yemen flag
Yemen
23.4 kg/m²
138
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
23.3 kg/m²
139
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
23.3 kg/m²
140
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
23.3 kg/m²
141
Comoros flag
Comoros
23.2 kg/m²
142
Gambia flag
Gambia
23.2 kg/m²
143
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
23.2 kg/m²
144
Liberia flag
Liberia
23.1 kg/m²
145
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
23.1 kg/m²
146
Mali flag
Mali
22.8 kg/m²
147
Namibia flag
Namibia
22.8 kg/m²
148
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
22.7 kg/m²
149
Philippines flag
Philippines
22.7 kg/m²
150
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
22.6 kg/m²
151
Benin flag
Benin
22.5 kg/m²
152
Ghana flag
Ghana
22.5 kg/m²
153
Laos flag
Laos
22.5 kg/m²
154
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
22.5 kg/m²
155
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
22.4 kg/m²
156
Botswana flag
Botswana
22.4 kg/m²
157
Malawi flag
Malawi
22.4 kg/m²
158
Somalia flag
Somalia
22.4 kg/m²
159
Togo flag
Togo
22.4 kg/m²
160
Guinea flag
Guinea
22.3 kg/m²
161
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
22.3 kg/m²
162
Nepal flag
Nepal
22.3 kg/m²
163
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
22.3 kg/m²
164
Angola flag
Angola
22.2 kg/m²
165
Congo flag
Congo
22.2 kg/m²
166
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
22.2 kg/m²
167
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
22.2 kg/m²
168
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
22.2 kg/m²
169
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
22.1 kg/m²
170
Kenya flag
Kenya
22.1 kg/m²
171
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
22 kg/m²
172
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
21.9 kg/m²
173
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
21.9 kg/m²
174
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
21.9 kg/m²
175
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
21.9 kg/m²
176
Chad flag
Chad
21.8 kg/m²
177
Burundi flag
Burundi
21.7 kg/m²
178
Senegal flag
Senegal
21.7 kg/m²
179
India flag
India
21.6 kg/m²
180
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
21.6 kg/m²
181
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
21.4 kg/m²
182
Uganda flag
Uganda
21.4 kg/m²
183
Niger flag
Niger
21.3 kg/m²
184
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
21.2 kg/m²
185
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
21.2 kg/m²
186
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
21.2 kg/m²
187
Zambia flag
Zambia
21.2 kg/m²
188
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
21.1 kg/m²
189
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
20.2 kg/m²
190
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
20 kg/m²

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Cook Islands flagCook Islands
  2. #2Nauru flagNauru
  3. #3Niue flagNiue
  4. #4Tonga flagTonga
  5. #5Samoa flagSamoa
  6. #6Tuvalu flagTuvalu
  7. #7Palau flagPalau
  8. #8Saint Lucia flagSaint Lucia
  9. #9Kiribati flagKiribati
  10. #10Kuwait flagKuwait

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #190Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  2. #189Eritrea flagEritrea
  3. #188Timor-Leste flagTimor-Leste
  4. #187Zambia flagZambia
  5. #186Rwanda flagRwanda
  6. #185Congo, Democratic Republic of the flagCongo, Democratic Republic of the
  7. #184Bangladesh flagBangladesh
  8. #183Niger flagNiger
  9. #182Uganda flagUganda
  10. #181Madagascar flagMadagascar

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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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 Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Average BMI for Adults data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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