Share of adults defined as obese in Zambia
Zambia: Share of adults defined as obese was 10.05 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of adults defined as obese in Zambia, 1980–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of adults defined as obese in Zambia is 10.05, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 4.9% on the previous year and up 64.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of adults defined as obese in Zambia peaked at 10.05 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.26, in 1980.
That places Zambia 171st 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.
Share of adults defined as obese in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1.26 | — |
| 1981 | 1.3 | +3.0% |
| 1982 | 1.33 | +3.0% |
| 1983 | 1.37 | +3.0% |
| 1984 | 1.42 | +3.3% |
| 1985 | 1.47 | +3.5% |
| 1986 | 1.52 | +3.6% |
| 1987 | 1.58 | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 1.64 | +3.9% |
| 1989 | 1.7 | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 1.77 | +4.1% |
| 1991 | 1.85 | +4.3% |
| 1992 | 1.93 | +4.3% |
| 1993 | 2.02 | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 2.11 | +4.5% |
| 1995 | 2.21 | +4.8% |
| 1996 | 2.32 | +5.0% |
| 1997 | 2.44 | +5.2% |
| 1998 | 2.57 | +5.5% |
| 1999 | 2.72 | +5.7% |
| 2000 | 2.87 | +5.7% |
| 2001 | 3.04 | +5.7% |
| 2002 | 3.21 | +5.8% |
| 2003 | 3.4 | +5.9% |
| 2004 | 3.6 | +5.8% |
| 2005 | 3.8 | +5.7% |
| 2006 | 4.02 | +5.6% |
| 2007 | 4.24 | +5.5% |
| 2008 | 4.47 | +5.4% |
| 2009 | 4.71 | +5.4% |
| 2010 | 4.96 | +5.3% |
| 2011 | 5.23 | +5.4% |
| 2012 | 5.51 | +5.4% |
| 2013 | 5.81 | +5.4% |
| 2014 | 6.12 | +5.4% |
| 2015 | 6.45 | +5.4% |
| 2016 | 6.79 | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 7.15 | +5.2% |
| 2018 | 7.51 | +5.1% |
| 2019 | 7.9 | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 8.3 | +5.0% |
| 2021 | 8.71 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | 9.14 | +4.9% |
| 2023 | 9.59 | +4.9% |
| 2024 | 10.05 | +4.9% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 10.05 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 14.59, 69% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 10.05 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 11.56, 87% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.46 | 1.26 | 1.7 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.19 | 1.77 | 2.72 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.74 | 2.87 | 4.71 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.34 | 4.96 | 7.9 | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.16 | 8.3 | 10.05 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0386 (2026)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.0941 (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.018 (2026)
- Country level monthly temperature anomalies 0.3261 (2026)
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Urban area long term, annual growth rate 3.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban area long term, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban area long term, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of adults defined as obese in Zambia?
- Share of adults defined as obese in Zambia was 10.05 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of adults defined as obese recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 10.05 in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of adults defined as obese recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.26 in 1980.
- How does Zambia rank for share of adults defined as obese?
- Zambia ranks 171st out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of adults defined as obese rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 64.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of adults defined as obese. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 45 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).