Germany drinks a lot of beer – even in global comparison, but the world champion comes either from Asia or from our neighborhood.
In which country is the most beer consumed? To this question, there are two different answers, as it depends on whether we take consumption per capita or the total amount. In both cases, however, Germany is not the winner – but it ranks high.
A giant from Asia or a neighbor in Europe
Within which national borders is the most beer drunk? According to data from Kirin Holdings for the year 2022, one country is undoubtedly at the top:
- China’s massive population of about 1.4 billion people drinks by far the most beer, about 42 million kiloliters.
- Next is the USA with about 20 million kiloliters.
- Brazil ranks third with 13 million kiloliters.
- Germany is only in sixth place with about 8 million kiloliters.
Another giant by population doesn’t like beer that much: Despite also having nearly 1.4 billion people, India only comes to 2.7 million kiloliters, placing 13th.
One kiloliter corresponds to 1000 liters, the figure for the Czech Republic is therefore written out: 42,000,000,000 liters.
And who drinks the most beer per capita now? The Czech Republic. 188 liters per capita in 2022. In total consumption, only in 18th place with about 2 million kiloliters, but thanks to only roughly 11 million inhabitants, undisputed beer champion.
Next are Austria, Poland, and the Republic of Ireland with about 100 liters per person. Germany is in 7th place with 93 liters per inhabitant. Overall, the relative consumption is a European category. Almost only European nations are in the top 20. Only Namibia (Southern Africa), Gabon (Central Africa), Panama, and Mexico (Central America) break in here.
The Czech Republic has been topping this statistic for about 30 years. Beer is the national drink par excellence in our eastern neighbor, which is why there was recently an uproar in the country when the government raised prices to reduce debts (via Tagesschau).
How is beer consumption in Germany generally developing?
For Germany, the latest figures for the year 2023 (via Statistisches Bundesamt) confirm the long-standing trend: We drink less beer on average every year since the peak of 140 liters per person in 1980. If this trend continues, consumption will have halved by the 2040s compared to 1980.
Globally, such total data sets are rarely available for the previous year. The surveying, checking, preparing, and publication simply takes time.
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