Rising Obesity Rates in Sweden Persist Despite Availability of New Medications

Obesity rates in Sweden have continued to climb despite the increased use of advanced obesity medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. According to recent data from Statistics Sweden (SCB), the adult obesity rate rose to 17.3% in 2025, up from 16.2% the previous year, marking the highest level recorded. This trend contrasts with experiences in the United States, where the introduction of such drugs has contributed to a decline in obesity, particularly among middle-aged women.

In Sweden, six different obesity medications are currently available, with Mounjaro being the best-selling. However, the high monthly costs—between 1,000 and 7,000 Swedish kronor depending on the medication and dosage—pose a significant barrier to widespread access. Subsidies for these drugs have been repeatedly delayed, leaving many patients to shoulder the expenses themselves.

Ylva Trolle Lagerros, an obesity expert at the Karolinska Institute, emphasized that obesity is a class issue affecting quality of life and called for targeted subsidies for severely affected patients. She argues that amending the subsidy framework could lead to long-term societal benefits, such as reduced healthcare costs and better academic performance among affected teenagers. Lagerros also noted that dietary habits in Sweden have worsened post-pandemic, with reduced consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish, and increased intake of sugary drinks, which likely contributes to the rising obesity rates.

Despite hopes for policy change, the timeline for subsidy implementation remains unclear. Advocates maintain that providing support to vulnerable individuals is critical to reversing the upward trend in obesity.