UK Obesity Rate: Latest Prevalence and Long Term Trends
How common is obesity in the UK today? The answer depends slightly on where you live.
There is no single official “UK obesity rate”. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each collect their own health data, using surveys that differ in timing and methods. Looking at the latest figures from each nation gives a much clearer picture than treating one number as the answer for the whole UK.
Recent figures put adult obesity at around 30% in England and 31% in Scotland. Wales reported 26% in its 2022/23 survey, while Northern Ireland reported 28% in 2023/24. These figures are not perfectly comparable, but they show that obesity affects a substantial proportion of adults across all four nations.
More importantly, obesity has become much more common over the past few decades. In England, for example, the proportion of adults living with obesity increased from 15% in 1993 to 30% in 2024.
This page looks at the latest figures, why they differ between nations, how obesity has changed over time, what may be contributing to the trend and where people can find support.
Key things to know
- Around 30% of adults in England were living with obesity in 2024.
- Around 31% of adults in Scotland were living with obesity in 2024.
- Wales reported 26% of adults living with obesity in 2022/23.
- Northern Ireland reported 28% of adults living with obesity in 2023/24.
- The surveys are carried out separately, so the figures should not be treated as an exact ranking between nations.
- Obesity has become more common over the long term, although the pattern has not been identical in every nation.
- Age, sex, deprivation, environment and other factors are associated with differences in obesity prevalence.
- These statistics describe populations. They cannot tell you what your own weight means for your health.
UK Adult Obesity Rate: The Latest Figures by Nation
| Nation | Obesity rate | Overweight or obese | Latest data |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 30% | 66% | Health Survey for England, 2024 |
| Scotland | 31% | Not shown here | Scottish Health Survey, 2024 |
| Wales | 26% | 61% | National Survey for Wales, 2022/23 |
| Northern Ireland | 28% | 64% | Health Survey Northern Ireland, 2023/24 |
The figures come from the latest available national surveys, but the survey years and methods differ. Scotland's official report specifically notes that estimates across the four UK surveys are only partially comparable.
The Welsh figure is from 2022/23 because that is the latest National Survey for Wales result in which the obesity specific figure is reported in the source used here. The newer 2024/25 survey reports that 62% of adults were overweight or obese, based on self reported height and weight, but this is not directly equivalent to the obesity specific figures above.
England
In England, 30% of adults aged 16 and over were living with obesity in 2024. A further 36% were overweight, meaning that 66% were either overweight or living with obesity.
Obesity was more common with increasing age. It affected 18% of adults aged 16 to 24 and between 35% and 36% of adults aged 55 to 74. The proportion who were overweight or living with obesity was higher among men than women, although obesity alone was similar between men and women at 29% and 31% respectively.
There are also differences linked with deprivation and ethnicity. For example, the 2024 Health Survey for England found higher levels of increased or high central adiposity among some ethnic groups. These differences are population level findings and do not explain an individual's health on their own.
Scotland
Scotland reported that 31% of adults were living with obesity in 2024. This was similar to the 32% reported in 2023.
The 2024 figure was higher among women than men. Around 35% of women were living with obesity compared with 27% of men. The survey also found that the average BMI among adults was 28.1 kg/m², the highest level recorded in the Scottish Health Survey series.
It is worth remembering that a figure such as 31% describes the population as a whole. It does not tell you whether a particular person is healthy or unhealthy based on weight alone.
Wales
The National Survey for Wales reported that 26% of adults were living with obesity in 2022/23. Overall, 61% were overweight or obese. The survey reported obesity in around 25% of men and 27% of women.
More recent Welsh data from 2024/25 found that 62% of adults were overweight or obese, based on self reported height and weight. Because the newer survey uses a different measure and does not give the same obesity specific figure in its headline results, it should not simply be substituted into the table above as though it were the same statistic.
This is a good example of why looking at the date and definition behind a statistic matters.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, 28% of adults were living with obesity in 2023/24. Overall, 64% were either overweight or obese, including 37% who were overweight and 28% who were obese.
The Health Survey Northern Ireland has been running continuously since 2010/11 and collects information on a range of health and lifestyle topics.
Why Are the Figures Not Perfectly Comparable?
It can be tempting to look at the four numbers and immediately ask which nation has the highest obesity rate.
There is a problem with doing that too literally.
Each UK nation runs its own health survey. The surveys can differ in their sample, age groups, data collection methods and survey year. Scotland's official report specifically notes that obesity estimates from the four national surveys are only partially comparable.
For example, the Welsh 2022/23 survey used self reported height and weight, while the Health Survey for England uses measured height and weight. Self reported measurements can produce different results from measurements taken during a survey.
So, if two nations differ by only a few percentage points, it is better to treat them as broadly similar rather than assuming the difference represents a precise ranking.
How Has the UK Obesity Rate Changed Over Time?
The increase in obesity has happened over decades rather than appearing suddenly.
In England, 15% of adults were living with obesity in 1993. By 2024, that figure had reached 30%. Over the same period, the proportion who were overweight or living with obesity increased from 53% in 1993 to 66% in 2024.
Scotland has also seen a long term increase. The proportion of adults living with obesity was 24% in 2003 and 31% in 2024.
These figures show why it can be misleading to focus too heavily on one year's change. Looking across several years gives a better sense of the wider trend.
Why Is Obesity Becoming More Common?
There is no single explanation for the rise in obesity.
Weight is influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, the food environment, physical activity, sleep, stress, medicines, health conditions and wider social and economic circumstances.
The environment around us has changed too. Food is widely available, portion sizes can be large, and many people spend more of their day sitting or travelling by car than previous generations did.
Cost can also influence food choices. What is affordable, available locally and convenient can shape what people eat, particularly when time and money are limited.
This does not mean that individual choices have no role in health. It simply means that those choices happen within a wider environment.
That wider picture matters when thinking about obesity because it explains why advice based only on “eat less and move more” can feel too simple for some people.
What Does the Obesity Rate Mean for Your Health?
A national obesity statistic cannot tell you what will happen to one individual.
However, living with obesity is associated with a higher risk of several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis and some cancers.
Risk can also be affected by where fat is stored. For example, the Health Survey for England uses waist to height ratio as an additional measure of central adiposity. In 2024, 70% of adults had a waist to height ratio above the recommended level of 0.5.
These figures are useful for understanding population health, but they should not be used to diagnose yourself. If you are concerned about your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar or another health issue, an individual assessment is more useful than comparing yourself with a national average.
What Support Is Available?
If you are concerned about your weight, you do not have to work out what to do from a statistic on a website.
Support can include dietary and physical activity advice, structured weight management programmes, behavioural support, prescription medicines and specialist services. The option that may be appropriate depends on factors such as your BMI, existing health conditions, current medicines and previous experience with weight management.
For some people with severe obesity and related health conditions, specialist services or weight loss surgery may also be considered.
The important point is that treatment should be based on the individual, rather than simply on a national obesity figure.
Starting Treatment in the UK
The online consultation process
Some weight management services offer consultations online, which can make it easier to access care without travelling to a clinic.
A proper online consultation should still involve an individual clinical assessment. You may be asked about your BMI, medical history, current medicines, existing health conditions and previous weight management attempts.
A UK registered prescriber can then assess whether treatment is appropriate and, where relevant, which options may be suitable.
An online service should not simply allow you to choose a prescription medicine and buy it without appropriate clinical checks.
Pricing
The cost of weight management treatment varies depending on the medicine, dose and provider.
If you are comparing prices, look beyond the headline figure. Check whether a clinical consultation is included, who is prescribing the medicine, which pharmacy is supplying it and what support is available after treatment starts.
Medicine prices can change, so always check the relevant product page for the current price rather than relying on an older article or search result.
Safety Considerations
Obesity and weight management can be sensitive subjects. If you have struggled with your weight, food or body image, you deserve support without judgement.
If thoughts about food, eating or your weight are becoming distressing or difficult to control, speak with a GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
If you have a medical condition or take regular medicines, mention these before starting any weight management treatment. They may affect which options are appropriate for you.
Prescription weight management treatment should only be used following an appropriate clinical assessment and under the supervision of a qualified prescriber.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is provided for general information only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Obesity and weight management can look different from person to person. Treatment suitability depends on factors such as your health, medical history, current medicines and the specific treatment being considered.
If you are concerned about your weight or general health, speak with a GP, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the obesity rate in the UK?
There is no single official obesity rate for the whole UK because England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland collect their own data.
The latest figures used on this page put adult obesity at around 30% in England, 31% in Scotland, 26% in Wales and 28% in Northern Ireland. However, these figures come from different surveys and years, so they should not be treated as an exact like for like comparison.
What is the obesity rate in England?
What is the obesity rate in Scotland?
What is the obesity rate in Wales?
The National Survey for Wales reported that 26% of adults were living with obesity in 2022/23. Overall, 61% were overweight or obese.
The newer 2024/25 survey reported that 62% of adults were overweight or obese, but it did not provide the same obesity specific figure in its headline results.
What is the obesity rate in Northern Ireland?
What percentage of the UK is obese?
It is more accurate to talk about obesity rates in each UK nation rather than one UK wide percentage.
Recent national figures are around 30% in England, 31% in Scotland, 26% in Wales and 28% in Northern Ireland. Because the surveys use different methods and years, these figures should be viewed as separate national estimates.
Is the UK obesity rate rising?
Obesity has become more common over the long term.
For example, in England, the proportion of adults living with obesity increased from 15% in 1993 to 30% in 2024. Scotland also recorded an increase from 24% in 2003 to 31% in 2024. ; gov.scot )
How has the obesity rate changed since the 1990s?
The clearest long term data come from England. Adult obesity increased from 15% in 1993 to 30% in 2024.
The increase has not been identical every year. There have been periods of slower change and year to year fluctuations, so the longer trend is more useful than focusing on one annual figure.
Which UK nation has the highest obesity rate?
The latest figures shown here are 31% for Scotland, 30% for England, 28% for Northern Ireland and 26% for Wales.
However, these figures should not be treated as a precise ranking because the national surveys differ in their methods, age groups and survey years. Scotland's official statistics specifically caution that the four estimates are only partially comparable.
Why do obesity rates differ between men and women?
The pattern is not the same in every UK nation.
For example, Scotland reported obesity in 35% of women and 27% of men in 2024. In England, obesity alone was similar between men and women at 29% and 31%, while overweight and obesity combined were more common among men.
Differences can reflect age, health, social and environmental factors, among others. A national statistic cannot explain why an individual person's weight has changed.
Are UK obesity statistics directly comparable between nations?
Not perfectly.
Each nation has its own health survey, with differences in survey year, sampling and how measurements are collected. For example, England's Health Survey uses measured height and weight, while the Welsh survey has used self-reported height and weight for its relevant data.
That is why it is better to look at the context behind each number rather than treating small differences as a definitive ranking.
What is the difference between obesity rate and overweight or obese rate?
The obesity rate refers specifically to adults classified as having obesity, usually using a BMI of 30 or above.
The overweight or obese figure is broader. It includes people who are overweight as well as those living with obesity, generally covering a BMI of 25 or above.
For example, in England in 2024, 30% of adults were living with obesity, while 66% were either overweight or living with obesity.
How are obesity rates measured?
National health surveys generally use height and weight to calculate BMI, although the exact approach differs between surveys.
Measured height and weight can provide a more reliable estimate than asking people to report their own measurements. The Health Survey for England, for example, uses measured height and weight. The Welsh survey has used self reported measurements for its relevant data.
Does obesity vary by age?
Yes. In England, for example, obesity affected 18% of adults aged 16 to 24 in 2024 and between 35% and 36% of adults aged 55 to 74.
Age is only one factor, though. It should not be used to predict an individual's health or weight.
Where can I find official UK obesity statistics?
The main official sources are the Health Survey for England, Scottish Health Survey, National Survey for Wales and Health Survey Northern Ireland.
Because these surveys are run separately, it is useful to check the original source and survey year whenever you see a UK obesity statistic online.
What should I do if I am concerned about my own weight?
A national statistic can tell you what is happening across a population, but it cannot tell you what is right for you.
If you are concerned about your weight or have a condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea, speak with a GP, pharmacist or qualified prescriber. They can look at your overall health, medical history and any medicines you take and help you understand what support may be appropriate.
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