Think Tank Projects Poland’s Obesity Costs to Soar to 5 Percent of GDP
(MENAFN) Poland is on track to devote almost 5% of its gross domestic product to tackling obesity-related illnesses by 2060—nearly double the level recorded in 2019—according to a new analysis from the Polish Economic Institute (PIE).
The state-run think tank projects that national spending will reach 4.86% of GDP, positioning Poland as the second-highest spender in the European Union, trailing only Bulgaria, where the figure could climb to 7.08%.
Drawing on data from the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ), the report highlights a growing public health challenge: 64.5% of Polish adults are overweight, and 26.8% are classified as obese.
The trend mirrors a global surge. Worldwide, obesity-related expenditures are expected to jump from 2.19% to 3.29% of global GDP by 2060. In 2019, the United States accounted for nearly 38% of all obesity-related costs.
Low- and middle-income nations could face a particularly steep financial burden—up to 25 times higher—driven by what the report calls “dynamic socioeconomic changes... including rapid urbanization, a shift toward office work and a decline in physical activity,” as cited by a Polish news agency.
Dietary habits are also evolving, with greater consumption of foods rich in fat, sugar, and salt fueling the epidemic.
According to PIE, 12 EU member states have already implemented taxes targeting unhealthy foods, and the European Union is exploring ways to standardize these policies across the bloc. Researchers estimate that OECD countries could spend around 8% of their health budgets on weight-related diseases between 2020 and 2050.
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