“Top 10 Tea-Drinking Countries in the World (With Per Capita Consumption & Global Share)”

Here’s a comprehensive look at the top 10 tea-drinking countries per capita, along with context and, where available, estimates of their share of global consumption:

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Top 10 Countries by Annual Tea Consumption Per Capita

Based on recent data⁠—primarily from 2023–2024 sources—here’s the ranking in kilograms per person per year:

1. Turkey – ~3.16 kg per person annually Sci-Tech TodayDaily Sabahwww.ndtv.comMaps of WorldWikipedia

2. Ireland – ~2.19 kg per person StatInvestorWikipedia

3. United Kingdom – ~1.94 kg per person www.ndtv.comStatInvestorWikipedia

4. Iran – ~1.50 kg per person www.ndtv.comBusiness Insider India

5. Pakistan – ~1.50 kg per person www.ndtv.comRefresh IdeasBusiness Insider India

6. Russia – ~1.38 kg per person www.ndtv.comStatInvestorRefresh Ideas

7. Morocco – ~1.22 kg per person www.ndtv.comBusiness Insider IndiaMaps of World

8. New Zealand – ~1.19 kg per person Green Plus CafeBusiness Insider IndiaStatInvestor

9. Chile – ~1.19 kg per person Green Plus CafeRefresh IdeasBusiness Insider India

10. Egypt – ~1.01 kg per person Green Plus CafeBusiness Insider IndiaStatInvestor

Some variations exist depending on sources, but these countries consistently appear among the top tea consumers per capita.

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Global Consumption Share (by Country)

While per-capita consumption shows cultural habits, global consumption by volume is influenced heavily by population size:

• China leads in total volume, consuming around 3 million tonnes (~46% of global tea consumption) in 2023 Sci-Tech Today.

• India follows with approximately 1.16 million tonnes (~18% of global tea consumption) Sci-Tech Today.

• These numbers highlight that countries with modest per-capita consumption can dominate total consumption due to their massive populations.

Per-capita-loving nations like Turkey and Ireland, despite their high individual consumption, contribute far less to the global total in volume.

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Summary Table

Rank	Country	Per-Capita (kg/year)	Notes on Global Share
1	Turkey	~3.16	Cultural icon; small global volume share
2	Ireland	~2.19	Deep-rooted tea tradition
3	United Kingdom	~1.94	Iconic cultural symbol
4	Iran	~1.50	National drink, social significance
5	Pakistan	~1.50	Ubiquitous "chai" culture
6	Russia	~1.38	Cultural staple across occasions
7	Morocco	~1.22	Traditional mint tea ceremony
8	New Zealand	~1.19	Tea among most popular beverages
9	Chile	~1.19	British influence on consumption habits
10	Egypt	~1.01	Social and religious contexts
—	China	—	~46% of global consumption in volume
—	India	—	~18% of global consumption in volume

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Additional Context

• Tea's global ranking: Tea is the second most consumed beverage worldwide, trailing only water. Sci-Tech TodayFAOHome

• Cultural significance: In many nations, tea is more than a drink—it’s a vital part of hospitality, tradition, and economy. For example:

  • In Turkey, tea (çay) is central to social life, often consumed multiple times per day in tulip-shaped glasses Daily SabahWikipedia.

  • In Morocco, pouring mint tea from a height to create foam is a cherished ritual Current Affairs Adda247Business Insider India.

• Production vs. consumption: Countries like India and China both produce and consume vast quantities of tea, whereas nations like Turkey consume heavily but also produce, playing a significant role in both supply and demand dynamics.

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In summary: The top 10 countries by per-capita tea consumption are dominated by nations with strong tea cultures and smaller populations. Alongside, China and India are the giants in volume, driving nearly two-thirds of global consumption thanks to their size—even though their per-person figures are more modest.