🇦🇺 Australia 🌍 WHO 🌏 Asia-Pacific 🇯🇵 Japan
BMI Calculator — Australia
Body Mass Index · WHO Standard · Australian Health Statistics
QUICK ANSWER
WHO normal BMI: 18.5–24.9. In Australia, 29.0% of adults are obese and 64.5% are overweight or obese — the 9th highest obesity rate in the world (WHO 2022). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare uses WHO thresholds: overweight ≥25, obese ≥30. Two-thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have obesity rates roughly double the national average.
Weight / Height · Metric (kg/cm) · Imperial (lbs/ft)
BMI Classification — Australia & International
| Category / Healthy | 🌍 WHO | 🌏 Asia-Pacific | 🇯🇵 Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | < 18.5 | < 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.5 – 22.9 | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 – 29.9 | 23 – 27.4 | ≥ 25 (Obese) |
| Obese | ≥ 30 | ≥ 27.5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the obesity rate in Australia? ▾
29.0% of Australian adults are obese and 64.5% are overweight or obese per the Australian Health Survey (ABS 2022) and WHO data. Australia ranks among the top 10 most obese developed nations. Rates are higher in older age groups, rural and remote areas, and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
What BMI standards does Australia use? ▾
Australia follows the WHO BMI standard: underweight <18.5, healthy weight 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Heart Foundation, and Diabetes Australia all use these thresholds. For people of Asian descent living in Australia, AIHW acknowledges the Asia-Pacific thresholds (overweight ≥23) may be more appropriate.
How does Australia compare to other countries for obesity? ▾
Australia's adult obesity rate (29%) is higher than the UK (27.8%), France (17%), and Japan (4.3%), but lower than the US (36.2%). Obesity costs the Australian healthcare system over AU$21 billion per year in direct and indirect costs (Deloitte Access Economics). The AIHW tracks these trends in the annual Australia's Health report.