Which alcoholic drink would you say is the most consumed around the world? If your answer is beer, you are right! In 2024, the worldwide consumption of this drink reached 194 billion liters, which proves its popularity in different countries and cultures.
Many people believe that European countries like Germany and the United Kingdom are the leading countries when it comes to beer consumption in the entire world. However, that’s not the reality and the country consuming the most of this drink might surprise you. But the thing is that the amount of beer consumed by each country is influenced by population size, economic conditions, and consumption habits. So, let’s find out which countries are included in this ranking, shall we?
And the country is…
China! In 2024, this country consumed 40.5 billion liters of this alcoholic drink, which represents about 21% of beer global demand despite the 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Now, I’m sure you are curious about which countries are in this ranking, right? Don’t worry, here’s a table to see it clearly:
|
Rank |
Country | Beer Consumption in 2024 (billion liters) |
|
1 |
China |
40.5 |
|
2 |
United States | 22.3 |
| 3 | Brazil |
15.3 |
|
4 |
Mexico |
10.8 |
|
5 |
Russia |
9.5 |
|
6 |
Germany |
7.2 |
|
7 |
South Africa |
4.6 |
|
8 |
Vietnam |
4.6 |
| 9 | United Kingdom |
4.5 |
| 10 | Spain |
4.4 |
This data shows that countries with larger populations often lead total consumption, even if they are not necessarily the ones that drink the most beer per person.
How beer consumption changes around the globe
Kirin Holdings analysis points out that beer consumption changes depending on the region. In many developing countries, the total consumption has lowered which reflects habit changes and consumers’ preferences. However, the situation is different in emerging countries.
For example, India is the country with the fastest growth among major beer-consuming nations. In 2024, its consumption increased 14.6% due to higher income and this alcoholic drink popularity among young adults.
Other countries like Mexico and Russia also showed significant increments related to the expansion of the middle class and greater spending power. This indicates that the global beer market is evolving and that growth is shifting toward new regions.
Europe and changes when consuming it
Europe is still key for both production and consumption of this drink, but the trends are not the same in every country: Germany and Spain recorded declines in alcohol consumption whereas The United Kingdom saw a slight increase. This situation shows that consumption habits are evolving across the continent. Although Europe has a long beer-drinking tradition, it no longer leads global consumption in total volume as many people might assume.
To sum up
As you can see, the countries that drink the most beer worldwide may not be the ones you first imagine. So, for anyone interested in this popular drink or global trends, this shows that the story is bigger than just who drinks the most per person. Total consumption reflects economic growth, cultural shifts, and changing lifestyles, giving us a fascinating glimpse into how people around the world enjoy this iconic beverage.
But, do you know what you should always have in mind? Drinking beer in moderation because if you drink it this way, it may become an addiction, and that’s when the problem starts.