How much sugar does the average person eat?

The global average is approximately 24.2 kg per year, or about 66 grams per day.

Which country consumes the most sugar?

The United States leads at about 57 kg per person per year, followed by Brazil and Australia.

How much sugar does the WHO recommend?

The WHO recommends limiting added sugar intake to under 25 grams per day (6 teaspoons), which is less than half the global average.

Global Average Sugar Consumption

Last updated: February 5, 2026

24.2 kg

kg/year

The global average sugar consumption is approximately 24.2 kg per person per year (about 66 grams/day). The US leads at ~57 kg/year, while Asian countries typically consume less. The WHO recommends limiting added sugar to under 25g/day.

Historical Trend

Source: FAO

Global Average Sugar Consumption by Country

Country	Value (kg/year) ↓	Source
United States	57	USDA
Brazil	50	IBGE
Australia	42	ABS
Germany	35	BLE
Saudi Arabia	35	FAO
United Kingdom	33.5	DEFRA
United Arab Emirates	32	FAO
France	28	FranceAgriMer
Pakistan	26	PBS
South Korea	22.5	KREI
India	21.5	FAO
Japan	17.5	FAO
China	12.5	FAO
Nigeria	8.5	FAO

Why This Average Exists

Sugar consumption data is critical for understanding the global obesity and diabetes epidemics, as excess sugar is linked to metabolic disease, dental problems, and cardiovascular risk.

Factors That Affect Global Average Sugar Consumption

Processed food consumption
Beverage industry
Income levels
Government sugar taxes
Cultural diet patterns
Health awareness

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.