Coffee Consumption by Country 2024

Coffee is one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages globally, prized for its aroma and caffeine content. Coffee is brewed from roasted beans of the plant species Coffea, which is native to sub-Saharan Africa and individual islands in the Indian Ocean. Coffee is believed to originate in Ethiopia. A national legend credits the goat herder Kaldi with discovering the potential of coffee beans. Kaldi observed how energetic his goats became after eating berries from the coffee plant and ground the beans to brew a drink from them.

Coffee cultivation began in the Middle East. By the 15th century, coffee houses were common throughout Turkey, Persia, Syria, and Arabia. Coffee came to Europe in the 16th century, but many Europeans rejected it as an infidel drink. However, Pope Clement VIII (1536-1605) gave his approval to coffee after trying a cup, and the drink spread throughout Europe and the Americas. By the middle of the 17th century, London alone had more than 300 coffee houses, where scientists, artists, writers, merchants, and politicians gathered to drink coffee all night.

Today, coffee is grown in more than 70 tropical countries and enjoyed everywhere. Coffee is the second-most-exported commodity in the world after oil. The top coffee-producing countries globally are Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. Not so long ago, the highest annual per-person consumption occurred in Scandinavian countries, where long, dark, and cold winters make coffee highly prized. More recently, however, the most devout coffee drinkers are found all over the world map. In the United States, annual consumption per capita is about 4.7 kilograms or 10.3 lbs., making the U.S. only the 67th biggest consumer of coffee worldwide on a per-person basis. The average person in the U.S. consumes about three cups of coffee per day.

Top 10 Countries that Drink the Most Coffee Per Person (kg/lbs per year) (International Coffee Organization 2020)

1. Luxembourg — 6.5 kg/14 lbs — Despite being one of the world's smallest countries, Luxembourg has thousands of coffee houses, from elegant houses with white linen table cloths to small, stand-up coffee bars.

2. Maldives — 22.3 kg/49 lbs — In the Maldives, where tea once reigned supreme, coffee is quietly carving out its own niche. From the capital of Malé to the remote islands, cafés serve a mix of global coffee styles.

3. Lebanon — 17.3 kg/38 lbs — Traditional Lebanese coffee, brewed thick and black, is enjoyed in tiny cups among friends and colleagues. Lebanon's coffee culture remains deeply rooted in its heritage, and each cup is a rich blend of tradition and taste.

4. Lithuania — 17 kg/37.4 lbs — In Lithuania, coffee has quietly become a daily essential, from the cobblestone streets of Vilnius to rural cafés. Strong and simple, it is brewed and enjoyed in the vein of the best European traditions.

5. Fiji — 16.84 kg/37 lbs — In Fiji, where kava once dominated, coffee is steadily growing in popularity. Served anywhere from coastal cafés to island resorts, coffee is a culture in Fiji that blends local flavors with familiar global trends.

6. Estonia — 16.8 kg/37 lbs — Estonians love their coffee, and this drink has become a daily ritual in this country's modern lifestyle. From Tallinn's trendy cafés to quiet village kitchens, coffee culture here is understated yet firmly rooted in everyday life.

7. Samoa — 16.3 kg/36 lbs — In Samoa, where traditional beverages like kava hold cultural significance, coffee is quietly gaining popularity and is often locally grown. From village gatherings to urban cafés, Samoans are embracing coffee as a daily pleasure.

8. Belize — 16.2 kg/35.6 lbs — Belize is where tropical flavors abound, and coffee has found its place as a cherished morning ritual. Belizeans love their locally grown coffee, often rich and aromatic. With Caribbean influences, coffee culture here is a relaxed yet essential part of daily life.

9. Macau — 15.5 kg/34 lbs — In Macau, where East meets West, coffee reflects the city’s fusion of cultures. For example, espresso and egg tarts make an unlikely but beloved pair, blending Portuguese heritage with local flair in this gaming and culinary hub.

10. Laos — 15.4 kg/33.9 lbs — In Laos, coffee is a key export and a symbol of the country's rich agricultural roots. Laotians enjoy their coffee strong and sweet, often brewed with condensed milk.

Another metric frequently used by the International Coffee Organization to measure coffee consumption is the total volume of coffee beans consumed. This metric simply computes the total number of 60-lb bags of dry coffee beans each country consumes.

Top 10 Countries that Drink the Most Coffee in the World (by 1000s of 60-lb bags of dry coffee beans consumed)