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Money & weight

Rich countries, poorer countries

The World Bank sorts countries into four groups by average income. Here is how obesity — and underweight — compare across them.

Adults with obesity by income group, 1980–2024

What this meansLow income: 10.1% · Lower-middle income: 12.0% · Upper-middle income: 16.7% · High income: 24.7% (2024).

0%5%10%15%20%25%30%19801990200020102020High income 24.7%Upper-middle income 16.7%Lower-middle income 12.0%Low income 10.1%
  • Low income
  • Lower-middle income
  • Upper-middle income
  • High income

Age-standardized.

Source: WHO Global Health Observatory.

Two sides of malnutrition

Children & teens (5–19) with obesity, 2024

What this meansHighest in high income countries (13.5%).

  1. Low income3.9%
  2. Lower-middle income5.0%
  3. Upper-middle income13.1%
  4. High income13.5%

Source: WHO Global Health Observatory.

Adults with underweight, 2024

What this meansHighest in low income countries (13.6%).

  1. Low income13.6%
  2. Lower-middle income10.5%
  3. Upper-middle income4.5%
  4. High income3.3%

Age-standardized.

Source: WHO Global Health Observatory.

Countries in each group

Low income (31 countries)
Lower-middle income (47 countries)
Upper-middle income (59 countries)
High income (59 countries)

Country income groups: World Bank classification (via the UN WPP country reference). Obesity: WHO Global Health Observatory.

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