In 2050 some 64% of the Dutch population will be overweight, with numbers rising in the 18-44 group in particular, health institute RIVM has said in a public health prognosis to be released on Wednesday.

In 2022, half of the population had a BMI of 25 and was classified as overweight. The RIVM expects that more people in all age groups will be overweight by 2050 but that the biggest increase will be among the 18 to 44-year-olds.

People in the 20 to 29 age group are also struggling to maintain a healthy weight, the RIVM said. In 1990 some 17% were too heavy but that had almost doubled by 2020.

In 2023, 16% of people aged 20 plus was classified as obese, with a BMI of 30 or more, CBS figures showed. That is three times as many as at the beginning of the 1980s.

The RIVM reports on the nation’s expected weight every four years. The effects of (future) measures, such as the inclusion of slimming medication in the basic health package have not been included in the calculations.

People who are overweight or obese run a higher risk of health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can lead to heart disease.