Key Points at a Glance
- In 2025, 53.4% of adults in Germany had a BMI of 25 or higher; 17.9% had a BMI of 30 or higher.
- Men are affected more often than women, while prevalence generally rises with age.
- Statistics differ because studies use different years, age groups, and measurement methods.
- BMI supports classification but does not fully reflect individual health risk.
- Models suggest overweight and obesity may remain widespread through 2030.
- Obesity is a chronic, complex disease that may require individualized treatment.
More than half of all adults in Germany have a body mass index above the normal range. According to the standard BMI classification, almost one in five adults lives with obesity. These figures come from the initial results of the 2025 Microcensus, published in June 2026.
However, these figures represent very different individual health situations. An elevated BMI alone does not determine a person’s health risk or whether treatment may be appropriate. At the same time, obesity is medically recognized not simply as the result of insufficient discipline, but as a chronic and complex disease.
This article explains how many people in Germany are affected by overweight and obesity, why different statistics may produce different results, and how the situation could develop by 2030 according to current projections.
How Many People in Germany Have Overweight or Obesity?
According to the preliminary results of the 2025 Microcensus, 53.4 percent of adults in Germany had a BMI of 25 or higher. In 17.9 percent the BMI was at least 30. This means that more than one in two adults had a BMI in the overweight range, including obesity. Almost one in five adults was classified as having obesity based on BMI.1
2025 Microcensus
Key Figures at a Glance
The official results are based on voluntary self-reported information from adults about their height and weight.
BMI of 25 or Higher
Overweight, including obesity, among adults overall.
BMI of 30 or Higher
Share of adults in the BMI category of obesity.
Men With a BMI of 25 or Higher
The proportion among men was substantially higher than among women.
Women With a BMI of 25 or Higher
Among women, the proportion remained below half in 2025.
| Group | BMI of 25 or Higher | BMI of 30 or Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Overall | 53.4% | 17.9% |
| Men | 62.6% | 19.9% |
| Women | 43.8% | 15.8% |
These figures describe the distribution within the population. They do not show whether an individual is experiencing health problems or which treatment approach may be medically appropriate.
Overweight and Obesity: What Is the Difference?
In everyday language, overweight and obesity are often treated as the same thing. Medically, however, they describe different BMI ranges. For adults, the World Health Organization defines overweight as a BMI of 25 or higher and obesity as a BMI of 30 or higher.3
BMI Classification for Adults
A Reference Value With Defined Thresholds
BMI relates body weight to height. The classification provides an initial point of reference and is useful in population-level statistics.
Underweight
Normal Weight
Overweight
Obesity
Important When Reading Statistics: The terms “overweight including obesity” and “high BMI” often include all BMI values of 25 or higher. A figure for “high BMI” should therefore not be interpreted as the obesity rate.
Use the BMI calculator from The Body Clinic to calculate your value as a first step. The result is an initial guide and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
Men and Women Are Affected at Different Rates
The Destatis figures show clear differences, particularly for BMI values of 25 or higher. In 2025, almost two thirds of men but fewer than half of women were above this threshold. The difference was smaller for obesity: 19.9 percent of men and 15.8 percent of women were affected.1
The Robert Koch Institute’s 2019/2020 GEDA study also found a higher proportion of overweight, including obesity, among men. Based on self-reported data, 60.5 percent of men and 46.6 percent of women had a BMI of 25 or higher at that time. Overall obesity prevalence was 19.0 percent. Prevalence increased with age in both sexes.2
Age
Prevalence Increases Over the Course of Life
Overweight and obesity are more common in middle-aged and older adults than in younger adults.
Social Conditions
Living Conditions Shape Available Options
The RKI reports that obesity is more common in groups with lower levels of education. These associations should not be interpreted as individual blame.
Education, income, and social living conditions can influence which foods are available and affordable, how much time is available for physical activity and recovery, and how easily prevention and medical care can be accessed.
Why Do Different Sources Report Different Figures?
Different figures are available for the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Germany. This does not automatically mean that one source is incorrect. What matters is how, when, and among whom the data were collected.
Interpreting the Data Correctly
Two Sources, Two Different Methods
The Microcensus provides current official survey data. The World Obesity Atlas combines international datasets to calculate modeled estimates and projections.
2025 Microcensus
Official Survey Data
- Adults Aged 18 and Older
- Self-Reported Height and Weight
- 53.4 Percent With a BMI of 25 or Higher
- 17.9 Percent With a BMI of 30 or Higher
- Preliminary Results for 2025
World Obesity Atlas 2025
International Modeling
- Adults Aged 20 and Older
- Combination of International Datasets
- 55 Percent With a BMI of 25 or Higher in 2025
- 21 Percent With Obesity in 2025
- Projections Through 2030
- Year of Data Collection: Current survey data cannot be compared directly with older studies without limitations.
- Self-Report or Measurement: Self-reported weight may be lower than weight measured under standardized conditions.
- Age Groups: Using a minimum age of 18 rather than 20 already changes the population being studied.
- Observation or Modeling: Projections are based on assumptions and are not certain predictions.
- Terminology: In the Atlas, “high BMI” includes all BMI values of 25 or higher and is not the same as obesity.
For the current situation in Germany, the official Destatis data are the most direct primary source. The World Obesity Atlas is particularly relevant for international context, modeling, and projections through 2030.
How Could the Situation Develop by 2030?
According to World Obesity Atlas model estimates, around 36.5 million adults in Germany could have a BMI of 25 or higher in 2030. This figure includes people with overweight as well as people with obesity. It should therefore not be presented as the number of people with obesity.4
Modeling for Germany
Prevalence Could Remain High Through 2030
Within the BMI categories, however, the projection suggests a possible shift toward more severe levels of obesity.
Adults With a BMI of 25 or Higher
Modeled total for Germany in 2030.
Men With a BMI of 35 or Higher
Women With a BMI of 35 or Higher
Projections Are Not Certain Predictions. Changes in prevention, nutrition, physical activity, medical care, and treatment can influence the actual course.
The detailed data do not suggest a simple trend in which all BMI categories rise equally. While the number of people with a BMI from 25 to below 30 may decline slightly, the modeled number with a BMI of 35 or higher increases compared with 2015.
Which Health Conditions Can Be Associated With Obesity?
Obesity is associated with a range of physical and mental health conditions. An individual’s level of risk depends on factors including the degree and duration of obesity, fat distribution, age, genetic predisposition, and existing medical conditions.35
- Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Lipid Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Sleep Apnea
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Joint and Back Problems
- Certain Cancers
- Mental Health Burden
Estimated Disease Burden in Germany
What the Modeling Shows for 2021
The figures refer to noncommunicable diseases statistically attributed to high BMI at the population level.
Premature Deaths
Model-based statistical attribution to high BMI.
Person-Years Lived With Disease
Estimated person-years lived with noncommunicable diseases.
“Attributed” Does Not Mean “Caused Solely By.” The figures are statistical estimates at the population level. They do not mean that BMI alone caused a disease or death in every individual case.
Why BMI Alone Is Not a Diagnosis
BMI relates body weight to height. It is easy to calculate and is therefore useful in large population studies and as an initial medical reference point. However, the WHO describes it as an indirect measure. Additional assessments, such as waist circumference, can provide further context.3
Using BMI Appropriately
An Important Measure, but Not the Complete Picture
Two people with the same BMI may have very different health profiles.
BMI Can Help Assess
- the relationship between weight and height
- the statistical BMI category
- whether a more detailed medical assessment may be appropriate
BMI Does Not Show
- body fat percentage and fat distribution
- muscle mass and physical function
- blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids
- related conditions and symptoms
- weight history and previous treatments
An individual assessment may consider waist circumference, fat distribution, blood pressure, laboratory values, medications, related conditions, and weight history. Learn more on our page about medically supervised weight loss.
Obesity Is Not Simply a Matter of Willpower
The idea that people with obesity simply need to eat less and exercise more is medically incomplete. Hunger, satiety, and body weight are regulated by hormonal, metabolic, and neurological processes. Genetic factors, psychological stress, sleep, medications, medical conditions, and social and economic circumstances also play a role.
Biology
Hunger, Satiety, and Metabolism
Genetic variants, hormones, and energy expenditure can influence weight development.
Health
Medical Conditions and Medications
Certain medical conditions, medications, limited mobility, and sleep problems can play a role.
Mental Health and Behavior
Stress, Habits, and Eating Patterns
Psychological stress and previous dieting experiences can reinforce one another.
Environment
Daily Life and Social Conditions
Food availability, prices, working conditions, advertising, and access to care influence individual options.
Long-term treatment should therefore offer more than a short-term diet. Our article explains in more detail why medical weight loss requires a clear indication, physician support, and a long-term plan: Medical Weight Loss for Obesity: Sustainable Treatment or Just Hype?.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
The current German S3 guideline recommends individually planned, long-term treatment. Nutrition-related, physical activity, and behavioral measures form the foundation. Depending on the medical situation, medication or surgery may also be considered.5
Individual Treatment Plan
Not Everyone Needs the Same Treatment Approach
The key factors are the person’s health status, related conditions, previous measures, personal goals, and long-term feasibility.
Nutrition and Daily Life
Qualified nutrition counseling can help adapt meal structure and habits to the individual situation over the long term.
Physical Activity and Behavior
Physical activity can support fitness and metabolic health. Behavioral support can help with routines and setbacks.
Medication Treatment
When medically indicated, prescription medications may form part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Bariatric Surgery
For more severe obesity, surgical procedures may be considered after a specialized interdisciplinary assessment.
The Body Clinic offers several physician-led treatment approaches: weight loss without medication, weight loss with injections and weight loss with tablets.
Medication options that may be assessed by a physician when medically indicated include Wegovy with semaglutide and Mounjaro with tirzepatide. A broader overview is available on our page about weight loss medications.
Learn about the role of nutrition counseling during GLP-1-based treatment in our article Why Nutrition Counseling Remains Essential During GLP-1 Treatment.
Individual Assessment
Which Treatment Approach May Suit Your Situation?
During a free initial consultation, we assess your starting point and discuss which next step may be medically appropriate. An inquiry does not automatically lead to treatment or a prescription.
When Is a Medical Assessment Appropriate?
A medical assessment may be particularly helpful when weight affects health or quality of life, related conditions are present, or previous weight loss attempts have only worked in the short term.
- BMI is 30 or higher.
- Weight-related conditions are present with a BMI of 27 or higher.
- Weight has increased significantly over an extended period.
- Medications or medical conditions may be affecting weight.
- Physical symptoms or limitations are present.
- Several weight loss attempts have only been successful in the short term.
- There is uncertainty about a safe treatment approach.
- Medication treatment is being considered and requires medical assessment.
A BMI Threshold Alone Does Not Determine Treatment. Related conditions, laboratory values, fat distribution, previous measures, possible contraindications, and personal goals are also relevant.
Medical consultations and ongoing support are available at our locations or throughout Germany via video consultation .
Conclusion: The Figures Need Medical Context
Overweight and obesity affect a large proportion of the adult population in Germany. Current Destatis data show that more than half of adults had a BMI of 25 or higher in 2025. In 17.9 percent, BMI was at least 30.
The World Obesity Atlas suggests that prevalence could remain high through 2030. For Germany, a possible shift toward higher BMI categories is particularly relevant.
Statistics should not reduce people to their BMI. Obesity is a chronic and complex disease. Its development and course are influenced by biological, medical, psychological, and social factors. An individual medical assessment therefore always considers more than a single number.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ About Obesity in Germany
How Many Adults in Germany Have Overweight?
According to the preliminary results of the 2025 Microcensus, 53.4 percent of adults in Germany had a BMI of 25 or higher. This figure already includes people with obesity.1
How Many Adults in Germany Live With Obesity?
According to Destatis, 17.9 percent of adults had a BMI of 30 or higher in 2025. The proportion was 19.9 percent among men and 15.8 percent among women.1
What Is the Difference Between Overweight and Obesity?
In adults, a BMI from 25 to 29.9 is classified as overweight or pre-obesity. A BMI of 30 or higher is classified as obesity.3
Why Are Some Obesity Figures Higher Than Others?
The results depend on the year of data collection, age group, and method. Self-reported weight and height often produce lower figures than standardized measurements. Model estimates, in turn, use multiple datasets and assumptions.
Does a BMI of 30 or Higher Automatically Require Treatment?
A BMI of 30 or higher meets the standard definition of obesity. Whether treatment is appropriate, and which treatment may be suitable, also depends on related conditions, fat distribution, laboratory values, symptoms, medications, and personal goals.
Sources
Federal Statistical Office of Germany: “The average person in Germany is 1.73 meters tall and weighs 78.3 kilograms,” Figure of the Week No. 23, June 2, 2026. Preliminary results from the 2025 Microcensus on height, weight, and BMI values of 25 or higher and 30 or higher among adults. Open the Destatis Source.
Robert Koch Institute: “Overweight and obesity among adults in Germany — results of the GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS study,” Journal of Health Monitoring 3/2022. Prevalence by sex, age, and educational group. Open the RKI Source.
World Health Organization: “Obesity and overweight,” updated December 8, 2025. Definitions, causes, health consequences, and treatment. Open the WHO Fact Sheet.
World Obesity Federation: “World Obesity Atlas 2025,” March 2025. Global, regional, and national modeling of high BMI prevalence, disease burden, and projections through 2030. Open the World Obesity Atlas.
German Obesity Society and participating medical societies: S3 guideline “Prevention and Treatment of Obesity,” registry number 050-001, version 5.0, October 2024. Diagnostics and evidence-based treatment options. Open the Guideline in the AWMF Registry.