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Which countries drink the most beer?
China drinks the most beer in total, about 40.5 billion liters in 2024, while Czechia drinks the most per person, 148.8 liters per capita in 2024, its 32nd straight year at the top (Kirin Holdings). World consumption reached about 194.1 billion liters in 2024.
Total beer consumption by country (2024)
According to Kirin Holdings' annual report published in December 2025, the world drank about 194.1 million kiloliters, or 194.1 billion liters, of beer in 2024, up 0.5% on 2023. China ranked first for the 22nd consecutive year despite a 3.7% decline, followed by the United States, Brazil and Mexico. India recorded the fastest growth, up 14.6%, while Russia grew 9.0% and Thailand 5.8%.
| Rank | Country | Consumption 2024 (billion liters) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 40.5 |
| 2 | United States | 22.3 |
| 3 | Brazil | 15.3 |
| 4 | Mexico | 10.8 |
| 5 | Russia | 9.5 |
| 6 | Germany | 7.2 |
| 7 | South Africa | 4.59 |
| 8 | Vietnam | 4.58 |
| 9 | United Kingdom | 4.51 |
| 10 | Spain | 4.36 |
Beer consumption per capita (2024)
Per person, Central Europe dominates. Czechia led with 148.8 liters per capita in 2024, the 32nd year in a row it has topped Kirin's ranking since 1993, though down from 152.1 liters in 2023. Lithuania, Austria, Ireland and Croatia completed the top five. Germany slipped from 8th to 10th. Japan consumed 33.7 liters per capita, and India, despite its fast growth, only 2.4 liters, ranking 102nd.
| Rank | Country | Liters per capita (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Czechia | 148.8 |
| 2 | Lithuania | 110.6 |
| 3 | Austria | 104.6 |
| 4 | Ireland | 99.0 |
| 5 | Croatia | 95.1 |
Top beer-producing countries (2024)
Production figures differ from consumption because of trade. The BarthHaas Report 2024/2025 puts world beer production at 1.875 billion hectoliters in 2024, down 0.3% on 2023. China produced 341 million hectoliters, the United States 184.5 million, Brazil 147.4 million and Mexico 145.0 million, much of it exported to the US through brands such as Corona and Modelo. Russia raised output by about 9% and overtook Germany, which fell to sixth with 83.9 million hectoliters.
- 1. China: 341 million hl
- 2. United States: 184.5 million hl
- 3. Brazil: 147.4 million hl
- 4. Mexico: 145.0 million hl
- 5. Russia: overtook Germany in 2024 after about 9% growth
- 6. Germany: 83.9 million hl
The largest brewing groups (2024)
Global beer is highly concentrated. BarthHaas reports that the 40 largest brewing groups produced 1.639 billion hectoliters in 2024, about 87% of world output, and the top three alone made more than half of that. AB InBev, formed by the 2008 merger of InBev and Anheuser-Busch and the 2016 takeover of SABMiller, brewed 495.5 million hectoliters, roughly one beer in four worldwide. The first eleven positions were unchanged from 2023.
Russia's Baltika entered the ranking in 12th place with 23.6 million hectoliters after Russia placed it under state control in 2023, separating it from its former owner Carlsberg. OPH United Breweries, the former Russian business of Heineken, entered the top 40 in 24th place.
| Rank | Group | Headquarters | Output 2024 (million hl) | Key brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AB InBev | Belgium | 495.5 | Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Michelob Ultra |
| 2 | Heineken | Netherlands | 240.7 | Heineken, Amstel, Tecate, Birra Moretti |
| 3 | China Resources Snow Breweries | China | 108.8 | Snow |
| 4 | Carlsberg | Denmark | 101.2 | Carlsberg, Tuborg, Kronenbourg 1664 |
| 5 | Molson Coors | United States | 79.6 | Coors Light, Miller Lite, Carling |
| 6 | Tsingtao Brewery Group | China | 75.4 | Tsingtao, Laoshan |
| 7 | Asahi Group | Japan | 65.0 | Asahi Super Dry, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell |
Frequently asked questions
Which country drinks the most beer per person?
Czechia. Kirin Holdings measured 148.8 liters per capita in 2024, the 32nd consecutive year Czechia has led the world ranking since 1993. Lithuania (110.6 liters), Austria (104.6), Ireland (99.0) and Croatia (95.1) followed.
Which country drinks the most beer in total?
China, with about 40.5 billion liters in 2024 according to Kirin Holdings, around a fifth of the world total. It has ranked first for 22 consecutive years. The United States was second with 22.3 billion liters and Brazil third with 15.3 billion.
How much beer does the world drink each year?
About 194.1 billion liters in 2024, according to Kirin Holdings, up 0.5% from 2023. The BarthHaas Report estimates 2024 world production at 1.875 billion hectoliters, or 187.5 billion liters; the two sources use different methods.
What is the biggest beer company in the world?
AB InBev, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It brewed 495.5 million hectoliters in 2024 according to the BarthHaas Report, about a quarter of global beer. Heineken was second with 240.7 million hectoliters and China Resources Snow Breweries third with 108.8 million.
Sources: kirinholdings.com, kirinholdings.com, barthhaas.com, beerguild.co.uk
Last reviewed October 2026.