Global Statistics
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine calculated the average BMI for 177 countries using UN data on population, WHO estimates of global weight, and mean height from national health examination surveys.
Country | Average BMI | Relative size of average BMI | Male BMI | Relative size of male BMI | Female BMI | Relative size of female BMI | Ratio of male to female BMI | Relative size of ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 21.01 | 21.01 | 21.36 | 21.36 | 20.65 | 20.65 | 1.034 | 1.034 |
Albania | 24.53 | 24.53 | 27.60 | 27.6 | 21.45 | 21.45 | 1.287 | 1.287 |
Algeria | 23.87 | 23.87 | 24.38 | 24.38 | 23.36 | 23.36 | 1.044 | 1.044 |
Angola | 22.73 | 22.73 | 23.24 | 23.24 | 22.22 | 22.22 | 1.046 | 1.046 |
Argentina | 26.44 | 26.44 | 27.76 | 27.76 | 25.11 | 25.11 | 1.106 | 1.106 |
Armenia | 24.26 | 24.26 | 25.72 | 25.72 | 22.80 | 22.8 | 1.128 | 1.128 |
Australia | 26.10 | 26.1 | 27.24 | 27.24 | 24.95 | 24.95 | 1.092 | 1.092 |
Austria | 25.00 | 25 | 26.97 | 26.97 | 23.03 | 23.03 | 1.171 | 1.171 |
Azerbaijan | 24.65 | 24.65 | 26.21 | 26.21 | 23.08 | 23.08 | 1.136 | 1.136 |
Bahamas | 27.09 | 27.09 | 27.60 | 27.6 | 26.57 | 26.57 | 1.039 | 1.039 |
Bahrain | 26.33 | 26.33 | 27.97 | 27.97 | 24.69 | 24.69 | 1.133 | 1.133 |
Bangladesh | 20.32 | 20.32 | 21.00 | 21 | 19.63 | 19.63 | 1.070 | 1.07 |
Barbados | 27.70 | 27.7 | 26.84 | 26.84 | 28.55 | 28.55 | 0.940 | 0.94 |
Belarus | 26.72 | 26.72 | 26.32 | 26.32 | 27.11 | 27.11 | 0.971 | 0.971 |
Belgium | 24.15 | 24.15 | 25.93 | 25.93 | 22.36 | 22.36 | 1.160 | 1.16 |
Belize | 26.09 | 26.09 | 26.60 | 26.6 | 25.58 | 25.58 | 1.040 | 1.04 |
Benin | 22.48 | 22.48 | 22.52 | 22.52 | 22.43 | 22.43 | 1.004 | 1.004 |
Bhutan | 20.37 | 20.37 | 20.88 | 20.88 | 19.85 | 19.85 | 1.052 | 1.052 |
Bolivia | 25.86 | 25.86 | 26.07 | 26.07 | 25.65 | 25.65 | 1.016 | 1.016 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 23.94 | 23.94 | 26.18 | 26.18 | 21.69 | 21.69 | 1.207 | 1.207 |
Botswana | 24.45 | 24.45 | 24.96 | 24.96 | 23.94 | 23.94 | 1.043 | 1.043 |
Brazil | 24.79 | 24.79 | 25.85 | 25.85 | 23.72 | 23.72 | 1.090 | 1.09 |
Brunei | 22.67 | 22.67 | 23.18 | 23.18 | 22.16 | 22.16 | 1.046 | 1.046 |
Bulgaria | 23.77 | 23.77 | 26.53 | 26.53 | 21.01 | 21.01 | 1.263 | 1.263 |
Burkina Faso | 21.25 | 21.25 | 21.86 | 21.86 | 20.64 | 20.64 | 1.059 | 1.059 |
Burundi | 20.40 | 20.4 | 20.91 | 20.91 | 19.89 | 19.89 | 1.051 | 1.051 |
Cambodia | 21.51 | 21.51 | 22.30 | 22.3 | 20.72 | 20.72 | 1.076 | 1.076 |
Cameroon | 24.70 | 24.7 | 26.65 | 26.65 | 22.75 | 22.75 | 1.171 | 1.171 |
Canada | 25.70 | 25.7 | 27.04 | 27.04 | 24.36 | 24.36 | 1.110 | 1.11 |
Cape Verde | 23.44 | 23.44 | 23.95 | 23.95 | 22.93 | 22.93 | 1.044 | 1.044 |
Central African Republic | 20.99 | 20.99 | 20.97 | 20.97 | 21.01 | 21.01 | 0.998 | 0.998 |
Chad | 21.42 | 21.42 | 22.04 | 22.04 | 20.80 | 20.8 | 1.060 | 1.06 |
Chile | 26.05 | 26.05 | 25.94 | 25.94 | 26.15 | 26.15 | 0.992 | 0.992 |
China | 22.86 | 22.86 | 23.78 | 23.78 | 21.93 | 21.93 | 1.084 | 1.084 |
Colombia | 24.94 | 24.94 | 26.30 | 26.3 | 23.58 | 23.58 | 1.115 | 1.115 |
Comoros | 22.99 | 22.99 | 23.39 | 23.39 | 22.59 | 22.59 | 1.035 | 1.035 |
Congo | 21.91 | 21.91 | 22.30 | 22.3 | 21.52 | 21.52 | 1.036 | 1.036 |
Costa Rica | 24.87 | 24.87 | 26.06 | 26.06 | 23.68 | 23.68 | 1.101 | 1.101 |
Côte d'Ivoire | 22.03 | 22.03 | 21.64 | 21.64 | 22.42 | 22.42 | 0.965 | 0.965 |
Croatia | 26.61 | 26.61 | 30.21 | 30.21 | 23.00 | 23 | 1.313 | 1.313 |
Cuba | 25.64 | 25.64 | 26.78 | 26.78 | 24.49 | 24.49 | 1.094 | 1.094 |
Cyprus | 26.70 | 26.7 | 27.21 | 27.21 | 26.18 | 26.18 | 1.039 | 1.039 |
Czech Republic | 23.78 | 23.78 | 26.50 | 26.5 | 21.06 | 21.06 | 1.258 | 1.258 |
Denmark | 24.24 | 24.24 | 25.75 | 25.75 | 22.73 | 22.73 | 1.133 | 1.133 |
Djibouti | 22.96 | 22.96 | 23.47 | 23.47 | 22.44 | 22.44 | 1.046 | 1.046 |
Dominican Republic | 25.45 | 25.45 | 25.55 | 25.55 | 25.34 | 25.34 | 1.008 | 1.008 |
DR Congo | 20.25 | 20.25 | 20.76 | 20.76 | 19.74 | 19.74 | 1.052 | 1.052 |
East Timor | 20.72 | 20.72 | 21.23 | 21.23 | 20.20 | 20.2 | 1.051 | 1.051 |
Ecuador | 25.58 | 25.58 | 26.09 | 26.09 | 25.06 | 25.06 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Egypt | 26.70 | 26.7 | 27.14 | 27.14 | 26.25 | 26.25 | 1.034 | 1.034 |
El Salvador | 25.80 | 25.8 | 26.31 | 26.31 | 25.28 | 25.28 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Equatorial Guinea | 24.75 | 24.75 | 25.26 | 25.26 | 24.24 | 24.24 | 1.042 | 1.042 |
Eritrea | 19.85 | 19.85 | 20.27 | 20.27 | 19.43 | 19.43 | 1.043 | 1.043 |
Estonia | 23.06 | 23.06 | 25.21 | 25.21 | 20.90 | 20.9 | 1.206 | 1.206 |
Ethiopia | 20.46 | 20.46 | 20.97 | 20.97 | 19.94 | 19.94 | 1.052 | 1.052 |
Fiji | 24.99 | 24.99 | 25.25 | 25.25 | 24.72 | 24.72 | 1.021 | 1.021 |
Finland | 25.06 | 25.06 | 26.76 | 26.76 | 23.36 | 23.36 | 1.146 | 1.146 |
France | 23.56 | 23.56 | 24.90 | 24.9 | 22.22 | 22.22 | 1.121 | 1.121 |
Gabon | 23.40 | 23.4 | 23.75 | 23.75 | 23.05 | 23.05 | 1.030 | 1.03 |
Gambia | 21.73 | 21.73 | 21.94 | 21.94 | 21.52 | 21.52 | 1.020 | 1.02 |
Georgia | 25.27 | 25.27 | 25.78 | 25.78 | 24.75 | 24.75 | 1.042 | 1.042 |
Germany | 25.32 | 25.32 | 27.17 | 27.17 | 23.46 | 23.46 | 1.158 | 1.158 |
Ghana | 23.15 | 23.15 | 24.64 | 24.64 | 21.65 | 21.65 | 1.138 | 1.138 |
Greece | 26.13 | 26.13 | 27.68 | 27.68 | 24.57 | 24.57 | 1.127 | 1.127 |
Grenada | 26.43 | 26.43 | 26.94 | 26.94 | 25.91 | 25.91 | 1.040 | 1.04 |
Guatemala | 25.88 | 25.88 | 26.42 | 26.42 | 25.34 | 25.34 | 1.043 | 1.043 |
Guinea | 22.06 | 22.06 | 22.41 | 22.41 | 21.71 | 21.71 | 1.032 | 1.032 |
Guinea-Bissau | 21.04 | 21.04 | 21.55 | 21.55 | 20.53 | 20.53 | 1.050 | 1.05 |
Guyana | 25.10 | 25.1 | 25.61 | 25.61 | 24.59 | 24.59 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Haiti | 23.12 | 23.12 | 22.21 | 22.21 | 24.03 | 24.03 | 0.924 | 0.924 |
Honduras | 25.12 | 25.12 | 25.63 | 25.63 | 24.61 | 24.61 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Hungary | 24.45 | 24.45 | 26.50 | 26.5 | 22.39 | 22.39 | 1.184 | 1.184 |
Iceland | 25.93 | 25.93 | 26.80 | 26.8 | 25.06 | 25.06 | 1.069 | 1.069 |
India | 21.05 | 21.05 | 22.50 | 22.5 | 19.60 | 19.6 | 1.148 | 1.148 |
Indonesia | 21.59 | 21.59 | 21.91 | 21.91 | 21.26 | 21.26 | 1.031 | 1.031 |
Iran | 24.28 | 24.28 | 25.21 | 25.21 | 23.35 | 23.35 | 1.080 | 1.08 |
Iraq | 24.53 | 24.53 | 25.04 | 25.04 | 24.01 | 24.01 | 1.043 | 1.043 |
Ireland | 24.40 | 24.4 | 26.14 | 26.14 | 22.65 | 22.65 | 1.154 | 1.154 |
Israel | 25.05 | 25.05 | 26.72 | 26.72 | 23.37 | 23.37 | 1.143 | 1.143 |
Italy | 23.49 | 23.49 | 25.78 | 25.78 | 21.19 | 21.19 | 1.217 | 1.217 |
Jamaica | 26.21 | 26.21 | 24.82 | 24.82 | 27.60 | 27.6 | 0.899 | 0.899 |
Japan | 21.93 | 21.93 | 23.52 | 23.52 | 20.34 | 20.34 | 1.156 | 1.156 |
Jordan | 25.09 | 25.09 | 26.65 | 26.65 | 23.52 | 23.52 | 1.133 | 1.133 |
Kazakhstan | 22.99 | 22.99 | 25.02 | 25.02 | 20.96 | 20.96 | 1.194 | 1.194 |
Kenya | 21.41 | 21.41 | 21.59 | 21.59 | 21.23 | 21.23 | 1.017 | 1.017 |
Kuwait | 27.92 | 27.92 | 28.77 | 28.77 | 27.07 | 27.07 | 1.063 | 1.063 |
Kyrgyzstan | 22.90 | 22.9 | 23.99 | 23.99 | 21.80 | 21.8 | 1.100 | 1.1 |
Laos | 21.99 | 21.99 | 22.50 | 22.5 | 21.48 | 21.48 | 1.047 | 1.047 |
Latvia | 23.73 | 23.73 | 25.38 | 25.38 | 22.07 | 22.07 | 1.150 | 1.15 |
Lebanon | 24.57 | 24.57 | 26.60 | 26.6 | 22.54 | 22.54 | 1.180 | 1.18 |
Lesotho | 24.56 | 24.56 | 22.96 | 22.96 | 26.16 | 26.16 | 0.878 | 0.878 |
Liberia | 21.00 | 21 | 21.51 | 21.51 | 20.49 | 20.49 | 1.050 | 1.05 |
Libya | 26.06 | 26.06 | 26.57 | 26.57 | 25.55 | 25.55 | 1.040 | 1.04 |
Lithuania | 24.29 | 24.29 | 26.44 | 26.44 | 22.14 | 22.14 | 1.194 | 1.194 |
Luxembourg | 25.06 | 25.06 | 25.60 | 25.6 | 24.51 | 24.51 | 1.044 | 1.044 |
Macedonia | 23.81 | 23.81 | 24.25 | 24.25 | 23.36 | 23.36 | 1.038 | 1.038 |
Madagascar | 21.60 | 21.6 | 22.31 | 22.31 | 20.89 | 20.89 | 1.068 | 1.068 |
Malawi | 21.96 | 21.96 | 22.02 | 22.02 | 21.90 | 21.9 | 1.005 | 1.005 |
Malaysia | 22.58 | 22.58 | 23.06 | 23.06 | 22.09 | 22.09 | 1.044 | 1.044 |
Maldives | 22.21 | 22.21 | 23.54 | 23.54 | 20.88 | 20.88 | 1.127 | 1.127 |
Mali | 22.18 | 22.18 | 22.11 | 22.11 | 22.24 | 22.24 | 0.994 | 0.994 |
Malta | 26.04 | 26.04 | 27.91 | 27.91 | 24.17 | 24.17 | 1.155 | 1.155 |
Mauritania | 23.74 | 23.74 | 24.17 | 24.17 | 23.30 | 23.3 | 1.037 | 1.037 |
Mauritius | 24.46 | 24.46 | 25.05 | 25.05 | 23.87 | 23.87 | 1.049 | 1.049 |
Mexico | 26.54 | 26.54 | 27.70 | 27.7 | 25.37 | 25.37 | 1.092 | 1.092 |
Micronesia | 32.82 | 32.82 | 32.80 | 32.8 | 32.84 | 32.84 | 0.999 | 0.999 |
Moldova | 25.24 | 25.24 | 25.75 | 25.75 | 24.73 | 24.73 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Mongolia | 25.94 | 25.94 | 24.78 | 24.78 | 27.10 | 27.1 | 0.914 | 0.914 |
Morocco | 23.76 | 23.76 | 23.71 | 23.71 | 23.80 | 23.8 | 0.996 | 0.996 |
Mozambique | 21.27 | 21.27 | 21.27 | 21.27 | 21.27 | 21.27 | 1.000 | 1 |
Myanmar | 22.40 | 22.4 | 22.91 | 22.91 | 21.89 | 21.89 | 1.047 | 1.047 |
Namibia | 22.00 | 22 | 22.01 | 22.01 | 21.99 | 21.99 | 1.001 | 1.001 |
Nepal | 20.55 | 20.55 | 20.82 | 20.82 | 20.27 | 20.27 | 1.027 | 1.027 |
Netherlands | 24.14 | 24.14 | 25.72 | 25.72 | 22.56 | 22.56 | 1.140 | 1.14 |
New Zealand | 26.61 | 26.61 | 27.55 | 27.55 | 25.67 | 25.67 | 1.073 | 1.073 |
Nicaragua | 25.61 | 25.61 | 25.83 | 25.83 | 25.38 | 25.38 | 1.018 | 1.018 |
Niger | 21.49 | 21.49 | 22.27 | 22.27 | 20.71 | 20.71 | 1.075 | 1.075 |
Nigeria | 22.88 | 22.88 | 23.98 | 23.98 | 21.77 | 21.77 | 1.102 | 1.102 |
North Korea | 20.78 | 20.78 | 21.29 | 21.29 | 20.27 | 20.27 | 1.050 | 1.05 |
Norway | 24.69 | 24.69 | 26.28 | 26.28 | 23.10 | 23.1 | 1.138 | 1.138 |
Oman | 24.15 | 24.15 | 25.41 | 25.41 | 22.89 | 22.89 | 1.110 | 1.11 |
Pakistan | 21.53 | 21.53 | 21.92 | 21.92 | 21.14 | 21.14 | 1.037 | 1.037 |
Panama | 26.16 | 26.16 | 26.67 | 26.67 | 25.65 | 25.65 | 1.040 | 1.04 |
Papua New Guinea | 23.79 | 23.79 | 23.16 | 23.16 | 24.41 | 24.41 | 0.949 | 0.949 |
Paraguay | 25.32 | 25.32 | 25.83 | 25.83 | 24.81 | 24.81 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Peru | 25.23 | 25.23 | 25.87 | 25.87 | 24.59 | 24.59 | 1.052 | 1.052 |
Philippines | 22.35 | 22.35 | 22.73 | 22.73 | 21.96 | 21.96 | 1.035 | 1.035 |
Poland | 23.21 | 23.21 | 25.88 | 25.88 | 20.54 | 20.54 | 1.260 | 1.26 |
Portugal | 24.59 | 24.59 | 26.49 | 26.49 | 22.69 | 22.69 | 1.167 | 1.167 |
Qatar | 27.47 | 27.47 | 27.98 | 27.98 | 26.96 | 26.96 | 1.038 | 1.038 |
Romania | 22.98 | 22.98 | 24.62 | 24.62 | 21.33 | 21.33 | 1.154 | 1.154 |
Russian Federation | 23.25 | 23.25 | 24.80 | 24.8 | 21.69 | 21.69 | 1.143 | 1.143 |
Rwanda | 21.67 | 21.67 | 21.15 | 21.15 | 22.19 | 22.19 | 0.953 | 0.953 |
Saint Lucia | 25.23 | 25.23 | 24.59 | 24.59 | 25.86 | 25.86 | 0.951 | 0.951 |
Samoa | 28.34 | 28.34 | 28.79 | 28.79 | 27.88 | 27.88 | 1.033 | 1.033 |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 21.75 | 21.75 | 22.26 | 22.26 | 21.24 | 21.24 | 1.048 | 1.048 |
Saudi Arabia | 26.11 | 26.11 | 27.88 | 27.88 | 24.33 | 24.33 | 1.146 | 1.146 |
Senegal | 22.68 | 22.68 | 23.73 | 23.73 | 21.62 | 21.62 | 1.098 | 1.098 |
Sierra Leone | 23.45 | 23.45 | 23.87 | 23.87 | 23.03 | 23.03 | 1.036 | 1.036 |
Singapore | 22.19 | 22.19 | 22.80 | 22.8 | 21.58 | 21.58 | 1.057 | 1.057 |
Slovakia | 25.34 | 25.34 | 25.85 | 25.85 | 24.83 | 24.83 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Slovenia | 25.38 | 25.38 | 25.89 | 25.89 | 24.87 | 24.87 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Solomon Islands | 27.34 | 27.34 | 27.85 | 27.85 | 26.83 | 26.83 | 1.038 | 1.038 |
Somalia | 20.48 | 20.48 | 20.99 | 20.99 | 19.97 | 19.97 | 1.051 | 1.051 |
South Africa | 24.96 | 24.96 | 24.95 | 24.95 | 24.97 | 24.97 | 0.999 | 0.999 |
South Korea | 24.06 | 24.06 | 25.34 | 25.34 | 22.78 | 22.78 | 1.112 | 1.112 |
Spain | 24.52 | 24.52 | 26.47 | 26.47 | 22.57 | 22.57 | 1.173 | 1.173 |
Sri Lanka | 20.51 | 20.51 | 21.44 | 21.44 | 19.57 | 19.57 | 1.096 | 1.096 |
St Vincent and the Grenadines | 26.04 | 26.04 | 26.55 | 26.55 | 25.53 | 25.53 | 1.040 | 1.04 |
Sudan | 21.97 | 21.97 | 22.48 | 22.48 | 21.46 | 21.46 | 1.048 | 1.048 |
Suriname | 25.71 | 25.71 | 26.22 | 26.22 | 25.20 | 25.2 | 1.040 | 1.04 |
Swaziland | 23.39 | 23.39 | 23.90 | 23.9 | 22.88 | 22.88 | 1.045 | 1.045 |
Sweden | 24.54 | 24.54 | 26.11 | 26.11 | 22.97 | 22.97 | 1.137 | 1.137 |
Switzerland | 24.94 | 24.94 | 25.47 | 25.47 | 24.40 | 24.4 | 1.044 | 1.044 |
Syria | 25.00 | 25 | 25.51 | 25.51 | 24.49 | 24.49 | 1.042 | 1.042 |
Tajikistan | 25.21 | 25.21 | 25.72 | 25.72 | 24.70 | 24.7 | 1.041 | 1.041 |
Tanzania | 21.83 | 21.83 | 21.87 | 21.87 | 21.78 | 21.78 | 1.004 | 1.004 |
Thailand | 22.34 | 22.34 | 23.36 | 23.36 | 21.32 | 21.32 | 1.096 | 1.096 |
Togo | 22.22 | 22.22 | 22.72 | 22.72 | 21.72 | 21.72 | 1.046 | 1.046 |
Tonga | 32.90 | 32.9 | 32.03 | 32.03 | 33.77 | 33.77 | 0.948 | 0.948 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 26.90 | 26.9 | 26.46 | 26.46 | 27.33 | 27.33 | 0.968 | 0.968 |
Tunisia | 23.86 | 23.86 | 24.63 | 24.63 | 23.08 | 23.08 | 1.067 | 1.067 |
Turkey | 24.92 | 24.92 | 25.33 | 25.33 | 24.50 | 24.5 | 1.034 | 1.034 |
Turkmenistan | 23.55 | 23.55 | 25.13 | 25.13 | 21.96 | 21.96 | 1.144 | 1.144 |
Uganda | 21.53 | 21.53 | 21.03 | 21.03 | 22.02 | 22.02 | 0.955 | 0.955 |
Ukraine | 23.34 | 23.34 | 24.84 | 24.84 | 21.84 | 21.84 | 1.137 | 1.137 |
United Arab Emirates | 26.66 | 26.66 | 27.60 | 27.6 | 25.71 | 25.71 | 1.074 | 1.074 |
United Kingdom | 26.19 | 26.19 | 27.62 | 27.62 | 24.76 | 24.76 | 1.116 | 1.116 |
United States | 27.82 | 27.82 | 28.64 | 28.64 | 27.00 | 27 | 1.061 | 1.061 |
Uruguay | 25.06 | 25.06 | 26.88 | 26.88 | 23.24 | 23.24 | 1.157 | 1.157 |
Uzbekistan | 23.80 | 23.8 | 24.99 | 24.99 | 22.60 | 22.6 | 1.106 | 1.106 |
Vanuatu | 25.53 | 25.53 | 26.46 | 26.46 | 24.60 | 24.6 | 1.076 | 1.076 |
Venezuela | 26.19 | 26.19 | 27.52 | 27.52 | 24.86 | 24.86 | 1.107 | 1.107 |
Vietnam | 19.96 | 19.96 | 21.18 | 21.18 | 18.73 | 18.73 | 1.131 | 1.131 |
Yemen | 22.07 | 22.07 | 22.91 | 22.91 | 21.22 | 21.22 | 1.080 | 1.08 |
Zambia | 21.02 | 21.02 | 21.02 | 21.02 | 21.01 | 21.01 | 1.000 | 1 |
Zimbabwe | 22.38 | 22.38 | 21.70 | 21.7 | 23.06 | 23.06 | 0.941 | 0.941 |
Read more about this topic: Body Mass Index
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