If you like milk, these 11 countries that consume the most milk are perfect for you. Present in the human diet since 9,000 BC, animal milk is a very important source of nutrients with plenty of benefits, but with some risks as well.
Milk is the first food we are given after we were born. This fact made it easy for our Neolithic ancestors to quickly learn that they could milk domesticated animals and provide an additional food source. This is a result of a fluke genetic variation that enables part of human population to retain lactose tolerance after weaning. Animals lose this ability, as well as most humans do. Depending on genetics, lactose intolerance ranges from 5% for Northern Europeans to more than 90% in South Asia and some parts of Africa. It is no wonder then that China isn’t on our list of countries that consume the most milk and some Northern European nations top it.
Since our list is based on milk consumption per capita, some of the nations that are the biggest milk producers aren’t on it. For instance, the United States, which produce more than 90 million metric tons of cow milk per year, are ranked 16th in consumption. Considering copious amounts of ice cream eaten every year in the US, this can be hard to believe. India, the world’s largest cattle milk producer (roughly the equal share of cow and buffalo milk) and consumer by total numbers, isn’t even in top 100 countries in per capita consumption. With lactose intolerance level of 87%, Indians can hardly be blamed for not drinking more milk. Quite ironic, considering that cow is Hindu sacred animal. India also isn’t on the list of 11 countries that consume the most sugar in the world. With milk and sugar absent, it doesn’t seem like a country for people with a sweet tooth.
Low placement of the United States on our list of countries that consume the most milk can also be partly explained by the unfortunate distribution of genetic variation that regulates ability to digest lactose. In African American population it reaches 74%, as opposed to 14% in Caucasians. Take a look at our list to see which countries have won the genetic milk lottery.
11. Luxembourg
Milk consumption: 586lb – 265.9 kg
We kick off with Luxembourg. This small country squeezed between France, Germany and Belgium is part of Europe’s traditional cow grounds.
10. Romania
Milk consumption: 586.85lb- 266.19 kg
Carpathian pastures in the Northwest Romania are responsible for the excellent taste of local milk. That is why Romanians drink so much of it.
9. Albania
Milk consumption: 619.87lb – 281.17 kg
Albania lacks fertile lands and its geography is well suited for animal husbandry, especially shepherding. Milk has been a vital part of Albanians’ diet for centuries.
8. Denmark
Milk consumption: 651.73lb – 295.62 kg
The Holstein part of the best milking cow breed, Holstein-Frisian, came from the German province of Holstein, which was under the Danish rule for centuries.
7. Lithuania
Milk consumption: 668lb – 303.0 kg
Most people agree that one of the best things Lithuania inherited from former USSR is a wide spread habit of milk drinking. They failed to mention anything about vodka drinking.
6. Montenegro
Milk consumption: 674.33lb – 305.87 kg
Small Balkan country with very little fertile lands for crops, but plenty of pastures. Traditionally, in mountain villages, every house kept at least one cow for milk.
5. Greece
Milk consumption: 693.77lb – 314.69 kg
Home of the Greek yogurt and feta cheese, Greece has a long tradition of growing dairy sheep. With almost 700 pounds of milk per capita, Greece is number 5 on the list of 11 countries that consume the most milk.
4. Switzerland
Milk consumption: 696.18lb – 315.78 kg
Same as Montenegro, except for the Balkans part. No land for wheat and lots of pastures. It is no coincidence Milka’s trademark is a cow.
3. Netherlands
Milk consumption: 705.81lb – 320.15 kg
Netherlands is the home of the second half of most famous milking cow breed, Holstein-Frisian. Dutch polders are some of the best grazing grounds in the world.
2. Sweden
Milk consumption: 784.54lb – 355.86 kg
Filmjölk or soured milk is an integral part of any decent Swedish breakfast. It is also responsible for a large percentage of 784 pounds of milk average Swede consumes every year.
1. Finland
Milk consumption: 796.29lb – 361.19 kg
It is impossible to imagine life in Finland without milk. It is ingrained during the childhood, since every school meal has a glass of milk on the tray. Later on, it is piimä, a Finnish version of butter milk. That is why Finland is number one of 11 countries that consume the most milk.
