Obesity in Finland is becoming a growing public health issue. According to new data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), almost one in four Finnish adults is now living with obesity.
In 2024, 24.5 percent of adults aged 20 and over had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. That is up from 22.5 percent in 2020, marking a steady rise in weight-related health risks across the country.
THL classifies a BMI of 30 or more as health-risk obesity, based on internationally recognised medical guidelines. The data was pulled from THL’s Sotkanet database, which monitors health statistics across municipalities in Finland.
Not all areas are impacted equally. South Ostrobothnia recorded the highest obesity rate in 2024, with more than 30 percent of adults meeting the BMI threshold. That figure has climbed by nearly three percentage points since 2020.
Northern Ostrobothnia, Lapland, and Central Uusimaa are also seeing sharp increases, with each region experiencing a rise of more than five percentage points. In these areas, obesity now affects between 26 and 28 percent of adults.
Helsinki continues to report the lowest obesity figures in the country. In 2024, around 17 percent of adults in the capital were considered obese. That rate has remained stable since 2020, despite a temporary increase in 2022.
A few other regions showed modest improvements. In Eastern Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, and South Karelia, the share of obese adults dropped slightly by less than one percentage point. Obesity in these areas ranges from 21 to 26 percent.
Päivi Mäki, who leads lifestyle and environment programs at THL, says the data shows a concerning pattern, particularly among working-age adults.
She notes that regional differences in obesity can often be linked to how cities are built. “Larger cities usually offer more chances to walk or bike, and better access to sports and fitness services,” she explained.
Lifestyle habits and education levels also play a role. People in urban areas often have more health-focused infrastructure and higher awareness of nutrition and exercise, both of which affect long-term weight trends.
The increase in obesity in Finland is more than a personal health issue. It affects the economy and public health services.
Mäki referenced a Finnish study published in BMC Public Health, which showed that individuals who are overweight or obese lead to significantly higher healthcare and social costs than those with normal weight.
Obesity is linked to serious medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease. These can reduce quality of life and place more pressure on the public healthcare system.
Mäki supports stricter government measures to curb obesity in Finland. She points out that other Nordic countries are already taking stronger steps.
“Norway bans unhealthy food marketing to anyone under 18, and Denmark is working on a similar law. Finland still only has voluntary guidelines,” she said.
Earlier this year, the Finnish government dropped a proposal to raise VAT on sweets and chocolate. Mäki believes reintroducing that plan could help, along with regulations that make it harder to promote unhealthy food to young people.
The latest data from THL shows that obesity in Finland is not just a personal issue but a regional and national concern. As the country faces rising rates in most areas, the call for action is louder than ever.
Better urban planning, improved education, and public policies aimed at reducing access to unhealthy foods could help reverse the trend. With one in four adults already affected, delaying action may only make the problem worse.
