When we think of obesity, the United States often comes to mind. But according to our obesity data, Nauru has the world's highest rate at 61%. In fact, nearly all of the top 11 most obese nations are Pacific islands. The US at 36.2% doesn't even crack the top 10.
Data accurate as of January 2026.
World's Most Obese Nations
Source: MyLifeElsewhere
| # | Country | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nauru | 61.0% |
| 2 | Cook Islands | 55.9% |
| 3 | Palau | 55.3% |
| 4 | Marshall Islands | 52.9% |
| 5 | Tuvalu | 51.6% |
| 6 | Niue | 50.0% |
| 7 | Tonga | 48.2% |
| 8 | Samoa | 47.3% |
| 9 | Kiribati | 46.0% |
| 10 | Micronesia | 45.8% |
Why Pacific Islands?
According to the World Health Organization, the shift from traditional diets (fish, taro, coconut) to imported processed foods began post-WWII. A Global Health study found Pacific nations now import over 80% of their food—mostly canned meats, white rice, and sugary drinks.
A 2016 Nature Genetics study also identified a gene variant (CREBRF) in 45% of Samoans that promotes fat storage—a possible adaptation for surviving long ocean voyages. Combined with modern processed diets, this genetic factor may accelerate weight gain.
Where Does the US Fit?
The US at 36.2% has one of the highest rates among large developed nations but doesn't crack our top 10. The Pacific islands simply have more concentrated rates in smaller populations. For contrast, Japan sits at 4.3% and South Korea at 4.7%.
Explore Related Data
Obesity connects to other health metrics. Use our comparison tool to see how Nauru vs the US or Japan vs the US differ across life expectancy, health spending, and other quality of life indicators.