Which Countries Drink the Most Coffee Per Person?

If you’ve walked down a U.S. street, it might seem like Americans are drowning in coffee—Starbucks on every corner, McDonald’s pushing McCafé, Dunkin’ feeding the early risers. With massive chains born in America, it’s easy to assume the U.S. leads the world in coffee drinking. But by the numbers? Not even close.

No—the U.S. isn’t even in the top ten. In fact, by annual per capita coffee bean consumption, America ranks somewhere in the middle globally. So who’s really drinking the most coffee? Let’s break it down.

The Global Coffee Consumption Rankings

In 2013, market research firm Euromonitor published a ranking of countries by per capita coffee bean consumption. The data reveals surprising leaders—and shows just how much coffee some nations really drink daily. These figures refer to raw coffee bean intake, offering a pure measure unaffected by brew methods or serving styles.

The Top Ten Coffee Drinking Nations

10. Brazil – 4.8kg/year (1.32 cups/day)

Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee beans and a top consumer too. Its citizens drink an average of 4.8 kilograms of coffee beans per year—that’s about 1.32 cups per day. While it tops global production rankings, it also secures the tenth spot in per capita consumption. In 2012 alone, Brazil consumed over 2.19 billion kilograms of green coffee beans. As both the biggest grower and a major drinker, it holds a unique position in coffee culture.

9. Belgium – 4.9kg/year (1.35 cups/day)

Often associated with waffles and beer, Belgium also boasts deep coffee roots. The average Belgian drinks around 1.35 cups of coffee per day, equal to 4.9 kilograms per year. The country’s colonial history in the Congo and Rwanda once supplied its coffee demand. Today, coffee and famous Belgian waffles are a common breakfast pairing across countless cafés.

8. Germany – 5.2kg/year (1.43 cups/day)

Coffee culture in Germany began in northern port cities as early as 1673. Germans now drink about 1.43 cups daily, totalling 445 million kilograms per year. Despite having only one-seventh the population of the U.S., Germany consumes over seven times more coffee per capita than Belgium, highlighting its deep-rooted café tradition—even inspiring a coffee aria by Johann Sebastian Bach.

7. Denmark – 5.3kg/year (1.46 cups/day)

Danes rank among the top coffee drinkers in Scandinavia, averaging 1.46 cups daily. Their coffee is the sixth most expensive globally, yet they still drink generously. Traditional Danish coffee rituals often pair the brew with meals or celebrations. The country is also home to Dodum, a famed coffee pot manufacturer (often referred to as a French press, though originally French).

6. Serbia – 5.4kg/year (1.49 cups/day)

Serbia favors strong traditional Turkish coffee, made by boiling finely ground coffee in a special pot and serving it unfiltered. Consuming roughly 1.49 cups per day, Serbians enjoy this intense brew alongside sweet fruit desserts. Their methods and preferences highlight the enduring legacy of Ottoman-era coffee practices in the Balkans.

5. Austria – 5.5kg/year (1.51 cups/day)

With a café culture dating back to 1638, Austrians sip about 1.51 cups per day. Vienna’s cafés offer more than just drinks—they serve as social hubs with complimentary newspapers, pastries, and small savory dishes. Locals particularly enjoy the Kaisermelange, a coffee mixed with honey, egg yolk, and sometimes a splash of brandy. Annual consumption reaches 63.9 million kilograms nationwide.

4. Slovenia – 6.1kg/year (1.68 cups/day)

Slovenians, like Serbians, drink a strong Turkish-style coffee known locally as "Turška Kava," often served in tiny cups and sometimes with milk or cream. On average, Slovenians drink 1.68 cups per day, amounting to nearly 9.3 million kilograms annually for the country’s 2 million residents. Cafés, or “kavarana,” remain central to social life.

3. Netherlands – 6.7kg/year (1.84 cups/day)

The Dutch were the first Europeans to successfully import coffee plants from Yemen in 1616, establishing coffee cultivation in Java and Suriname. Today, the Dutch enjoy 1.84 cups per day, often paired with cookies or cake during designated "Koffietijd." Regional differences exist: Protestants in the north may sip with a single cookie, while Catholics in the south enjoy coffee with larger desserts.

2. Norway – 7.2kg/year (1.98 cups/day)

Norwegians rank second in the world, drinking almost two cups per day. Traditionally embraced by the wealthy in the 18th century, coffee is now a daily staple, often accompanied by cakes or shared among friends. The country’s remote regions even feature the “Karsk” cocktail—a mix of weak coffee and vodka. In 2012, Norwegians consumed 36.5 million kilograms of coffee with a population of just around 5 million.

1. Finland – 9.6kg/year (2.64 cups/day)

Finland takes the crown as the world’s top coffee consumer, with an average of 2.64 cups per person per day—or 9.6 kilograms of coffee beans annually. Many workplaces include official coffee breaks, and church gatherings or special events always feature abundant coffee and baked goods. Light roasts dominate Finnish preferences, often prepared using traditional Turkish methods. Decaf? Hardly an option. If children are excluded from the stats, the numbers climb even higher.

What Determines Coffee Consumption?

Several factors influence a country’s coffee intake: historical trade routes, cultural traditions, social habits, and even religious customs. In Northern Europe, coffee became a social equalizer and daily ritual. In former colonies and trading nations, availability and early exposure helped cement consumption norms. Work culture, break traditions, and social gatherings all play roles too. For example, Finland’s mid-work coffee breaks and Slovenia’s café-centric lifestyle directly support higher averages.

Where Does the U.S. Stand?

While the U.S. is home to global coffee giants like Starbucks and Dunkin’, its per capita consumption doesn’t crack the top ten. Americans drink considerably less coffee per person than the Finns, Norwegians, or even the Dutch. The American market leads in volume and innovation—but not in daily individual intake.

Why These Numbers Matter

Understanding per capita coffee consumption highlights more than just drinking habits—it reflects cultural priorities, social structures, and historical trade. These rankings show how deeply coffee is woven into the daily fabric of life in certain nations, far beyond simple beverage consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country drinks the most coffee per person?

Finland drinks the most coffee per person, with an average of 9.6 kilograms of coffee beans consumed annually—equivalent to about 2.64 cups per day.

Does the U.S. rank in the top 10 coffee consuming countries?

No, the United States does not rank in the top ten. Its per capita coffee consumption is considered moderate compared to leading nations like Finland, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Why does Finland drink so much coffee?

Finland’s high coffee consumption is driven by cultural traditions, including regular workplace coffee breaks, social gatherings, and church events—all centered around coffee. Light-roasted coffee, often prepared in traditional ways, is preferred nationwide.

What is the average coffee consumption in Norway?

Norwegians drink an average of 7.2 kilograms of coffee per person per year, or roughly 1.98 cups per day, placing them second globally.

Is Brazil both the biggest coffee producer and consumer?

Yes, Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee beans and also ranks tenth in per capita consumption, with 4.8 kilograms per person annually.

How is per capita coffee consumption measured?

Per capita coffee consumption is typically calculated based on the annual consumption of raw coffee beans per person, offering a consistent measure across different brewing methods and cultural practices.

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