The Coffee Craze: How Much Do People Across The Globe Consume?
It’s no secret that most of the globe loves their coffee. While the exact answer to ‘how much do people drink around the world’ may depend on various factors, the general consensus among both experts and the public is that our planet loves the bean. So, just how much coffee does the world drink?
Recent surveys have suggested that around 75% of US adults drink at least one cup of coffee per day. This number rises to around 82% when including people aged aged 18-24. In the UK, it has been reported that around 70% of people drink coffee every day. This shows that out of the two of the most populated countries in the world, coffee plays a major role in the diets of the majority of its citizens.
More broadly, statistics show that in 2020 the world consumed around 7.2 million metric tonnes of coffee. This came down to around 8.3 kg per person – equating to roughly 291 cups in a year. This is a substantial amount of coffee being consumed, especially when compared with other countries where coffee isn’t so popular, such as India and China. On the other end of the spectrum, Finland were the biggest consumers with an average of 12.2 kg per person.
The debate over coffeehouse chains versus making coffee at home is one that has interested many. While the exact ratios are hard to determine and often heavily dependant on geographical location, surveys of 4,000 people from across the US and Europe suggests 52% of coffee consumed was made at home and 48% at establishments like cafes or coffee chains.
But why do we love coffee? Recent research has suggested that coffee has both long-term and short-term cognitive effects. In the long-term, studies have suggested that people who drink coffee regularly exhibit more cognitive clarity than those who don’t. The cognitive benefits aren’t helped by coffee’s fast-acting nature enabling drinkers to become more alert – something they might find difficult to do without coffee. This has mostly been seen in worker productivity increase.
The majority of the coffee produced worldwide is Arabica and is grown in South and Central America. Despite this, coffee production is heavily dominated by Brazil, who are responsible for 39% of the world’s supply. Colombia is second with 11%. That said, the majority of coffee isn’t consumed in the countries of origin. Instead, Europe is the World’s largest coffee consuming country, with a staggering 19% of the world’s coffee consumed within the continent.
Factors That Influence Coffee Drinking Habits
When looking at the world’s coffee consumption, it’s also important to note the various socioeconomic or cultural factors that can encourage or discourage people from drinking coffee. Such an example would be the US and Southern Europe, who, because of the heritage of both countries prior to being taken over my Europeans, have become synonymous with coffee drinking after the art was brought over by their inhabitants.
The cost of coffee is also an important factor when looking at the global coffee drinking patterns. For instance, in Vietnam coffee has become such an important part of culture that it’s been described as, ‘the national beverage’. In Vietnam, the average cup of coffee costs around $0.25, which is consistent with other Asian countries in the same price range. This is compared with the likes of the USA where, depending on the seller, prices can range from $2 upwards – something that some people may deem expensive, as a result discouraging them from partaking.
In terms of actual consumption, demographics and wage can also have a heavy influence. For example, people living in lower wage jobs have been reported to have increased consumption on a daily basis when compared with people at higher wage brackets. Lower wage income is also a key indicator in being able to afford mass-produced coffee, proving a heavy influence on where the majority of the world’s coffee is consumed.
So, what can we learn from this? Essentially, it’s shown us that the risk of relying on one or two major producers can be problematic. For example, if the world relies on two countries like Brazil and Colombia – who, together, produce 50% of the world’s coffee – the risk of drought, crop failure or political unrest becomes significant. As a result, it’s clear that the leading nations in coffee production should have a focus on producing quality, resilient crops in order to preserve the future of coffee for the globe.
Are We Consuming Too Much Coffee?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults should consume no more than 400mg of caffeine per day, equating to around 4 cups of instant coffee. More recent studies have suggested that this figure is too high, with 75mg – one cup – being the new maximum recommended by Harvard nutritionists. While the exact etiquette of coffee drinking is up for debate, the consensus is clear: too much coffee can be dangerous.
The effects of consuming too much coffee can range from drug-like caffeine addictions to more serious issues like increased anxiety or insomnia. And, while the official numbers may suggest that most countries don’t consume too much, that figure may be skewed by those who view themselves as light coffee drinkers or avoid it altogether. As a result, it’s possible that the consumption statistics may not be a true reflection of the populace’s caffeine consumption.
The debate over ‘is coffee bad for you’ has sent shockwaves among its adherents. On one hand, you have those who see coffee as an essential part of their diet and enjoy the various positives it provides, but those against the drink fear that too much of the wonder bean can cause them both long-term and short-term damage.
That said, it’s clear that most of the globe love coffee and that it plays a huge role in the daily diets of billions of people. While the exact numbers may continue to sway back and forth, what matters most is that everyone honours their own coffee protocols in order to enjoy the coffee drinking experience without any potential issues.
What Is The Future Of Coffee Consumption?
Ultimately, the consensus seems to be that, despite some questioning its safety, the world still loves coffee and that the future looks bright for the beverage on a global scale. While keeping in mind the apparent risks that have been highlighted, it’s important to appreciate the long-term cognitive benefits for those who take it responsibly. With continued production in South and Central America, success in being able to produce coffee in Vietnam, and the obvious popularity of coffeehouses – particularly in Europe – it’s expected that the world’s consumption of coffee will remain high for the foreseeable future.
Overall, the effects of coffee have been a mixed bag, with some of its detractors pointing to the various risks in consuming it, but its supporters stressing the cognitive benefits and its ability to become a key drink in many nations. So, while it’s clear that the world loves its coffee, just how much is the question – and one that doesn’t yet have a clear answer.
Women’s Role In Global Coffee Consumption
Although coffee consumption in many countries is extremely popular, it’s important to remember that gender roles often play a large role in who is visible in the industry. When it comes to women’s involvement in the industry, statistics suggest that they account for just 5% of the world’s land owners, so, when it comes to harvesting the produce – in this case coffee – the majority of the work is given to men.
When looking at the economic side of the industry, a study done by the USDA in 2011 reported that most of the benefits of the coffee industry goes to people living in developed countries, with over 80% of coffee sales revenues going to the US and Europe, almost double what goes to those in the coffee producing countries. As a result, it can be concluded that women in these developing countries are missing out on major economic benefits.
There is hope, however, as the coffee industry has taken steps to ensure better representation and balance, with initiatives designed to empower women in the sector. As an example, programmes are looking to ensure coffee farming is more accessible to females who want to become independent farmers, which can be seen as a major step towards encouraging women in the industry.
So, while women may not be heavily involved in coffee production, they still play an important role in the industry. Whether it’s encouraging and sourcing beans, or taking part in entrepreneurship opportunities, it’s clear that their involvement is significant and one that needs to be celebrated.
Conclusion of Coffee Drinking in Developing Countries
For many people living in developing countries, coffee has once again become an important part of their diet, with many adults consuming at least one cup a day, sometimes more. In Vietnam, for example, the price of coffee is so low that many can afford to consume as much as they want. This isn’t just hurting the sustainability of coffee grown and supplied to the country, with many local farmers not able to compete with the lower prices, but it’s also putting thousands of people at risk of excessive caffeine consumption due to its low-price.
In the future, initiatives should be made in order to promote and educate locals about the possible repercussions of consuming too much coffee. Moreover, it’s important to encourage more people – not just women but men too – to become involved in the industry as a way of creating more positive economic opportunities and closing the gap between the rich and developing countries. Only then can we expect to see coffee consumption across the world be done responsibly, sustainably and for all.
