Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol

Nearly 800 million adults worldwide meet criteria for GLP-1 RA eligibility

January 16, 2026

A pooled analysis of health surveys from 99 countries found that 27% of adults—representing about 799 million people—would qualify for GLP‑1 RAs based on BMI and the presence of hypertension or diabetes. Eligibility was highest in Europe/North America and the Pacific Islands, and more common among women and older adults. Although eligibility rose with household income globally, in high‑income countries it was most prevalent among lower-income households.

Clinical takeaway: Because so many adults worldwide meet eligibility criteria and GLP‑1 RAs remain costly, integrating these agents into routine obesity care will require strategic, tailored policies that weigh clinical priority, cost‑effectiveness, and each health system’s delivery capacity.

Source:

Yoo SGK, et al. (2026, February). Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity: eligibility across 99 countries. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41519598/