Obesity Drugs Market Size 2026 | Analysis, Key Drivers, Top Players, Trends and Forecast 2031
Obesity Drugs Market Overview:
The global obesity drugs market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 25% through 2031. This growth is driven by the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide, increasingly sedentary lifestyles, substantial investments in research and development (R&D) by pharmaceutical companies, heightened awareness of structured weight management programs, and improving disposable incomes in developing economies.
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Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used as a screening tool: a BMI above 25 is classified as overweight, while a BMI above 30 is considered obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and certain cancers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 650 million people globally are obese. Beyond physical complications, obesity also has significant hormonal, metabolic, psychological, and behavioral effects, including altered appetite regulation, reduced satiety, and changes in body composition. Obesity drugs, also known as weight-loss medications, are designed to suppress appetite, reduce cravings, and support long-term weight management. The market is segmented by drug type and distribution channel.
Rising Prevalence of Obesity to Drive Market Demand
Obesity is a leading contributor to non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Its causes are multifactorial, encompassing genetic predisposition, sociocultural influences, mental health conditions, consumption of ultra-processed foods, economic and environmental factors, and commercial determinants of health. The increasing prevalence of obesity reflects the complex interaction of these drivers over time.
According to the World Obesity Atlas 2022, global obesity prevalence is expected to reach 16.1% in 2025, representing approximately 892 million individuals. By 2030, this figure is projected to rise to 1.025 billion people, with a prevalence rate of 17.5%.
Regional projections include:
- Africa: By 2030, 1 in 13 men and 1 in 5 women are expected to be obese, totaling around 101 million people. Of these, approximately 34 million are projected to have severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35).
- Americas: Obesity prevalence is predicted to reach 34.41% among men and 39.72% among women by 2030, accounting for approximately 298 million individuals, including 128 million with severe obesity.
- Europe: The prevalence is expected to reach 29.42% in men and 29.97% in women by 2030, placing an estimated 215 million adults at risk of obesity-related complications.
Childhood obesity is also rising sharply, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In many emerging economies, obesity now coexists with undernutrition, creating a double burden of disease. The WHO reports that the rate of increase in childhood overweight and obesity in developing nations has outpaced that of developed countries by more than 30%, underscoring the urgent need for early prevention strategies.
Innovation in Drug Development to Boost Market Growth
The obesity drugs pipeline is expanding rapidly, with numerous candidates in various stages of clinical development. Key pharmaceutical companies are heavily investing in R&D to develop innovative therapies that offer improved efficacy, better safety profiles, and enhanced patient adherence.
Recent developments include:
- In September 2022, Rivus Pharmaceuticals completed a $132 million Series B financing round to advance HU6, a controlled metabolic accelerator (CMA) targeting obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases.
- In August 2022, Novo Nordisk completed a Phase 2 trial of CagriSema, a once-weekly subcutaneous combination therapy of semaglutide and cagrilintide for patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight.
- In April 2022, Eli Lilly and Company reported Phase 3 results showing up to 22.5% weight loss with tirzepatide in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one comorbidity other than diabetes.
- In January 2022, the U.S. FDA cleared Altimmune’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist under development for obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
These advancements highlight the industry’s strong commitment to developing next-generation weight management therapies with superior clinical outcomes.
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North America to Maintain a Leading Market Share
North America is expected to hold a dominant share of the global obesity drugs market. This leadership is attributed to high obesity prevalence, increased public awareness through social media and healthcare campaigns, rapid adoption of innovative therapies, and supportive reimbursement frameworks.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity prevalence in the United States rose to 41.9% during 2017–March 2020, compared to 30.5% between 2000 and 2017. Severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2% during the same period. Additionally, the annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was estimated at $173 billion in 2019.
Despite challenges such as gastrointestinal side effects (e.g., nausea and diarrhea), limited combination therapy options, and pricing pressures, the market outlook remains strong. Growth will be further supported by ongoing product innovation, expanding access in developing regions, social media–driven health awareness, competitive pricing strategies, evolving regulatory frameworks, and greater physician engagement.
For example, in June 2021, the U.S. FDA approved Wegovy (semaglutide) 2.4 mg once-weekly injection for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
Competitive Landscape
The global obesity drugs market features a mix of established pharmaceutical giants and emerging biotechnology firms. Key players include Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark), Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.), Altimmune (U.S.), Amgen Inc. (U.S.), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany), Innovent Biologics, Inc. (China), AstraZeneca plc (UK), and Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), among others. These companies continue to compete through strategic collaborations, clinical innovation, portfolio expansion, and geographic diversification.
Overall, the global obesity drugs market is poised for substantial growth, driven by rising disease burden, expanding therapeutic innovation, and increasing global acceptance of pharmacological weight management solutions.
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Global Obesity Drugs Market Segmentation
This report by Medi-Tech Insights provides the size of the global obesity drugs market at the regional- and country-level from 2024 to 2031. The report further segments the market based on drug type and distribution channel.
- Market Size & Forecast (2024-2031), By Drug Type, USD Billion
- Prescription Drugs
- OTC Drugs
- Market Size & Forecast (2024-2031), By Distribution Channel, USD Billion
- Hospital Pharmacies
- Retail Pharmacies
- Online Pharmacies/E-commerce
- Market Size & Forecast (2024-2031), By Region, USD Billion
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Europe
- UK
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- North America
- Middle East & Africa
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