The World of Coffee Consumption: Trends, Top Consumers, and Per Capita Insights

by Marcus McCombe | Jul 17, 2024

Introduction

TL;DR

The world drinks around 166.63 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee a year, equal to over 10 billion kilograms. Furthermore, Finland leads the world in per capita consumption at roughly 12 kilograms per person, followed by Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The United States consumes the most in total, while emerging markets in Asia are driving the fastest growth. As a result, coffee consumption continues to expand globally, shaped by specialty coffee trends, home brewing, and ready-to-drink products.

How Much Coffee Does the World Drink?

Coffee is one of the most-consumed beverages worldwide, and consumption keeps growing. From bustling city cafes to quiet morning routines, coffee has become an integral part of daily life for millions. Furthermore, the data behind global coffee consumption tells a fascinating story about culture, climate, and changing tastes.

According to recent estimates, the world consumes approximately 166.63 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee annually. As a result, this works out to over 10 billion kilograms of coffee each year, showcasing coffee’s enormous global demand.

Global Coffee Consumption Trends

Steady Growth

Over the past few decades, global coffee consumption has been on a steady rise. Furthermore, this growth is driven by both traditional coffee-drinking regions and emerging markets where coffee is gaining popularity. Consequently, the volume of coffee traded each year continues to set new records.

Specialty Coffee and Premiumisation

One of the most significant trends driving consumption is the rising demand for specialty coffee. Consumers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable and discerning, seeking high-quality, ethically sourced beans. Moreover, this includes a preference for single-origin coffees and various artisanal brewing methods.

Specialty coffee shops, often referred to as part of the “third wave” coffee movement, are gaining popularity, emphasising quality, sustainability, and a deep appreciation for the craft of coffee making. To understand what specialty coffee actually means and how it differs from commodity coffee, read our guide on what is specialty coffee and why it matters.

Home Brewing and Convenience

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend of home brewing significantly. With more people working from home, there has been a surge in the purchase of coffee makers, grinders, and premium coffee beans. Despite this, coffee shops remain a crucial part of coffee culture, especially for those seeking specialty brews.

In addition, there is a growing market for ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages, which cater to busy lifestyles. Canned and bottled cold brews are particularly popular among younger consumers. Furthermore, demand for high-quality home brewing equipment continues to grow as drinkers invest in producing better coffee at home.

Top Coffee-Consuming Nations

Europe: The Coffee Powerhouse

Europe stands as the largest consumer of coffee, accounting for about 30 to 35 percent of global coffee volume. Northern European countries, in particular, are renowned for their high coffee consumption. Furthermore, Finland leads the world with an average consumption of about 12 kilograms per person per year. Norway follows closely with approximately 9.9 kilograms per person per year, while Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands consume around 8 to 9 kilograms per person per year.

The United States: A Growing Coffee Culture

The United States is a significant player in the global coffee market, known for its strong coffee culture. With per capita consumption of about 4.2 kilograms per year, the US sees a diverse range of coffee preferences, from traditional drip coffee to innovative cold brews and specialty drinks. Moreover, the rise of coffeehouse chains like Starbucks has significantly influenced American consumption patterns, making coffee an integral part of daily life.

Brazil: A Dual Role

Brazil stands out as both a major coffee producer and consumer. As the largest coffee producer globally, Brazil also has a thriving domestic market, with a preference for strong, bold coffee. Furthermore, Brazilian coffee consumption reflects a deep cultural appreciation for the beverage, with many enjoying coffee multiple times a day.

The United Kingdom

The UK has a smaller per capita coffee consumption than its European neighbours, at around 3 kilograms per person per year. However, the specialty coffee market in the UK has grown rapidly over the past decade. Moreover, cities like London, Manchester, Bristol, and Oxford now have flourishing specialty coffee scenes, with independent roasters serving high-quality coffee to an increasingly knowledgeable audience.

Emerging Markets and Regional Preferences

Asia: Rapid Growth

Asia is experiencing rapid growth in coffee consumption, particularly in countries like China, South Korea, and Japan. Traditionally tea-drinking cultures are increasingly embracing coffee, driven by a combination of Western influence and evolving consumer tastes. Furthermore, instant coffee and canned coffee are particularly popular in these regions, offering convenience and a gateway to more specialty coffee options.

South Korea in particular has become known for its dense network of cafes and a strong cafe culture. Moreover, China’s coffee market has grown significantly in the past decade, with both domestic chains and international brands competing for market share.

Africa: A Growing Appreciation

While tea remains dominant in many African countries, coffee consumption is on the rise, especially in urban areas. Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, has a deep-rooted coffee culture with traditional coffee ceremonies that celebrate the beverage’s heritage. Furthermore, other African nations are seeing increased coffee consumption, driven by urbanisation and a growing middle class.

Per Capita Coffee Consumption Around the World

The Nordic Lead

When it comes to per capita coffee consumption, Finland and Norway top the charts. The average Finn consumes about 12 kilograms of coffee per year, reflecting the country’s long-standing coffee culture. Norwegians follow with approximately 9.9 kilograms per person per year. Furthermore, this high consumption can be attributed to cultural habits, social practices, and the cold climate, which makes a hot cup of coffee particularly appealing.

Finland’s “kahvitauko” (coffee break) is even protected by law in many workplaces. Moreover, the country has the highest density of coffee shops per capita in the world.

Other Notable Countries

Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands also have high per capita coffee consumption, each averaging around 8 to 9 kilograms per person per year. In addition, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium all rank in the global top 15 for per capita consumption. These countries have rich coffee traditions and a strong preference for high-quality brews.

Top 10 Coffee Consumers by Per Capita

Based on most recent available data, the top countries by per capita coffee consumption are:

Finland (~12 kg per person per year)
Norway (~9.9 kg)
Iceland (~9 kg)
Denmark (~8.7 kg)
Netherlands (~8.4 kg)
Sweden (~8.2 kg)
Switzerland (~7.9 kg)
Belgium (~6.8 kg)
Luxembourg (~6.5 kg)
Canada (~6.2 kg)

Moreover, these rankings tend to be relatively stable over time. The Nordic and Northwestern European dominance reflects deep cultural roots that have shaped coffee drinking habits for generations.

The Future of Coffee Consumption

Several trends are likely to shape coffee consumption in the coming years. Furthermore, understanding these trends helps drinkers and producers alike navigate the changing market:

Specialty growth. Specialty coffee is expected to continue growing as consumers become more knowledgeable. As a result, demand for traceable, ethically sourced single origins keeps rising.
Climate change pressure. Climate change is expected to reduce the area suitable for coffee cultivation, particularly for high-quality Arabica. Consequently, prices may rise and producers will need to adapt.
Asian market expansion. Coffee consumption in China, India, and Southeast Asia continues to grow rapidly. Moreover, this growth is reshaping the global coffee economy.
Sustainability focus. Consumers increasingly demand sustainable sourcing, packaging, and supply chains. In addition, regulation is catching up, with new requirements like the EU Deforestation Regulation affecting how coffee is traded.
Innovation in processing. Experimental processing methods (anaerobic fermentation, carbonic maceration, thermal shock) are pushing the boundaries of what coffee can taste like. For more, read our guide to modern coffee processing methods.

From Global Trends to Your Cup

The world’s growing love for coffee has driven a parallel growth in quality. Furthermore, where supermarket coffee was once the default for most drinkers, specialty coffee is now widely accessible across the UK and beyond. As a result, drinkers can now experience coffee in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago.

If you’re curious to taste why specialty coffee is changing the global market, our flavour cluster covers the questions most drinkers ask:

Discover Specialty Coffee with Routes

The growth in specialty coffee is one of the most exciting trends shaping the global market. Moreover, drinking specialty coffee at home has never been easier or more affordable. A Routes Coffee subscription delivers freshly roasted single origins and blends to your door, starting from £9 with free UK delivery. As a result, you can experience the cutting edge of global coffee culture from your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee does the world drink each year?

The world consumes approximately 166.63 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee annually. Furthermore, this works out to over 10 billion kilograms of coffee each year, making coffee one of the most-consumed beverages globally.

Which country drinks the most coffee per person?

Finland leads the world in per capita coffee consumption, with the average Finn drinking around 12 kilograms of coffee per year. Norway follows with approximately 9.9 kilograms per person, then Iceland, Denmark, and the Netherlands at around 8 to 9 kilograms each.

Which country consumes the most coffee in total?

The United States consumes the most coffee in absolute terms, followed by Brazil, Germany, Japan, and France. However, total consumption is largely a function of population size. On the other hand, per capita rankings tell a different story, led by the Nordic countries.

Why do Nordic countries drink so much coffee?

Nordic coffee consumption is driven by a combination of cultural habits, social practices like Sweden’s fika, and the cold climate, which makes hot drinks particularly appealing. Furthermore, Finland and Norway have long-standing coffee traditions that go back centuries.

Is coffee consumption growing or declining?

Global coffee consumption is steadily growing. Moreover, the growth is driven by emerging markets in Asia (especially China, South Korea, and Japan), the rise of specialty coffee, increasing home brewing, and ready-to-drink coffee products. As a result, the global market continues to expand year on year.

How much coffee does the average UK adult drink?

The average UK adult drinks around 3 kilograms of coffee per year. However, the UK specialty coffee market has grown rapidly over the past decade. Furthermore, cities like London, Manchester, Bristol, and Oxford now have thriving independent specialty coffee scenes.

Where does Brazil rank in coffee consumption?

Brazil is one of the largest total consumers of coffee globally, although per capita consumption is moderate at around 5 to 6 kilograms per person per year. Brazil’s unique position is that it is also the world’s largest coffee producer, so much of what it consumes is grown domestically.