Global Beer Consumption: Latin America and Southern Europe Lead the Way

International Beer Day: A Global Celebration

Beer, one of the oldest alcoholic beverages known to humankind, is celebrated globally on International Beer Day. This event, which takes place every first Friday in August, sees special events held in bars and pubs around the world. However, according to data from Statista, residents of some countries may be more likely to join in the festivities than others.

Latin America and Southern Europe: The Beer Lovers

As reported by Florian Zandt from Statista, a recent consumer insight survey reveals that a significant proportion of people in most Latin American countries, between 41 and 53 percent, are regular beer drinkers. Mexico leads the pack with 53 percent of survey participants of legal drinking age regularly consuming this popular beverage. Greece and Spain are not far behind with 52 and 51 percent respectively. The survey also indicates that Southern Europe, with Italy at 47 percent and Portugal at 37 percent, has a high rate of regular beer consumption.

Asia: Lower Rates of Beer Consumption

Despite being home to many of the world's leading breweries, Asia has a lower percentage of regular beer drinkers. China and South Korea share the top spot in the region with 41 percent each, followed by Thailand at 38 percent, Hong Kong at 36 percent, and Taiwan at 31 percent.

Religion and Beer Consumption: The Case of Malaysia and Indonesia

In contrast, Malaysia and Indonesia have a significantly lower percentage of regular beer drinkers, at 16 and 10 percent respectively. This is attributed to religious practices, as both countries have a majority Muslim population, where alcohol is considered haram or forbidden.

Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom: Closer to the Average

Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, countries associated with popular beer brands and varieties like wheat beer and Guinness, are closer to the average beer consumption rate of 35 percent across 48 countries. In all three nations, a third of respondents of legal drinking age reported they regularly consume beer.

Bottom Line

It's fascinating to see how cultural, religious, and regional factors can influence the consumption of a universally enjoyed beverage like beer. What do you think about these statistics? Do they reflect your own beer-drinking habits? Feel free to share this article with your friends and spark a conversation about global beer consumption trends. And don't forget, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.