In this article, we will be taking a look at the 20 countries with the highest daily calorie consumption in the world. If you do not want to learn about the calorie consumption trends and market dynamics, head straight to the 5 Countries with the Highest Daily Calorie Consumption in the World.
Calorie Consumption Trends and Market Dynamics: Insights from the United States
The global average daily calorie intake per person has increased by 9% to 2,960 calories in 2021, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Europe and North America consumed the most calories in 2021, averaging 3,540 calories per day. Oceania’s intake averaged 3,150 calories per person, close behind the US and Europe. In contrast, African nations consumed the least calories at 2,600 per day.
The US is one of the countries with the highest calorie intake globally. In 2021, the average American consumed 3,540 calories per day. This is significantly higher than the recommended daily intake of 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men, according to the NHS. The high-calorie consumption in the US has created a large market for calorie-dense foods and beverages. In 2021, the US spent an estimated $1.42 trillion on food exports, up 3.7 times since 2000. Some of the most popular high-calorie meals consumed in the US include:
- Fast food burgers: A typical fast food burger can contain 300-600 calories, depending on the size and toppings
- Pizza: A single slice of pizza can have 200-400 calories, and it’s easy to consume multiple slices in one sitting
- Sugary drinks: A 12-ounce can of soda contains about 39 grams of sugar and 140 calories
- Desserts: Cakes, cookies, and ice cream are high in calories, with a single serving often exceeding 300 calories
Global Trends in Food Consumption and Fast Food Industry Dynamics
As countries develop economically, food expenditures tend to decline as a fraction of total household expenses. In the U.S. and U.K., food budgets constitute an average of only 10% of household costs, while in many developing countries, food expenses remain much higher – 70% in Tanzania and 45% in Pakistan.
There is also an increasing number of overweight individuals, both in developing and developed countries. Nearly 2.5 times as many people are overweight as undernourished, with cases of severe overweight (obesity) rising in parallel. Roughly 1/3 of Indians and 44% of those living in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer from undernourishment.
Consumption of “on-the-go” convenience food is growing outside of restaurants as well, with the global meal replacement market expected to grow by 5.4% from 2021 to 2026, reaching $15.5 billion. Burger King, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD), Wendy’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Popeye’s, Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ), Papa John’s, and Pizza Hut are examples of major fast food chains that serve calorie-dense meals. Customers at these chains purchased a mean of 827 calories per meal, with 34% purchasing 1000 calories or more.
Financially, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)’s global comparable sales increased by 1.9%in the first quarter of 2024, marking 13 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth and 30% growth over the last 4 years. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)’s consolidated revenues increased 5% (4% in constant currencies) to over $6 billion and the systemwide sales increased 3% (3% in constant currencies). On the other hand, in the first quarter of 2024, Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ)’s global retail sales saw a growth of 7.3%. Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ)’s revenue increased 5.9% to $1,138.14 million and their net income reached $141.14 million which is a 20.1% increase.
Shifting the focus back to calorie consumption, large chain restaurants reduced calories in newly introduced menu items by about 60 calories (12%) in 2013 compared to 2012, but average calories in new items were still higher than items that had been on menus for multiple years.
Ultra-processed foods from chains like frozen pizza, soda, fast food, sweets, salty snacks, canned soup, and most breakfast cereals have seen a significant increase in consumption, rising from 53.5% of calories in 2001-2002 to 57% in 2017-2018.
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Our Methodology
For our methodology, we have ranked the countries with the highest daily calorie consumption in the world based on the number of calories consumed per capita in these countries. For the accuracy of data, we relied on Our World in Data.
Here is our list of the 20 countries with the highest daily calorie consumption in the world.
20. Netherlands
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,460
An average person in the Netherlands consumes around 3,460 calories per day. In 2023, 16% of people in the Netherlands aged 20 and over were classified as obese (with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above). The percentage of people aged 20 and over with moderate overweight (BMI of between 25 and 30) has also increased, rising from 28% in 1981 to 35% in 2023. The most consumed food groups in the Netherlands are “Cakes and sweet biscuits” (86%), “Alcoholic beverages” (79%), “Non-alcoholic beverages” (71%), and “Savoury snacks” (61%), which are mostly consumed in between meals.
19. Montenegro
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,469
Montenegro stands among the countries with the highest daily calorie consumption in the world with an average person consuming at least 3,469 calories per day. In terms of age groups, consumption of takeaway and fast food tends to peak in young adults aged 19-29 years. According to the Global Obesity Observatory, in 2019 the economic impact of overweight and obesity in Montenegro was estimated to be US$173.05 million which is equivalent to US$276 per capita and 3.1% of GDP.
18. Norway
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,473
Norway is one of the countries that eats the most food with an average person consuming at least 3,473 calories a day. The Norwegian dietary guidelines recommend eating at least five portions of vegetables, fruits, and berries each day, eating wholegrain products every day, and eating fish for dinner two to three times a week.
17. Portugal
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,489
Portugal is one of the most calorie consuming countries in the world with an average person in the country consuming 3,489 calories. In Portugal, almost 60% of the general population is obese or pre-obese. Regarding fast food consumption, about 80% of participants in a study of higher education students in Portugal used to consume fast food, and about half reported a frequency of consumption of two to three times a month. Males had a higher prevalence of fast food consumption ( p = 0.002) and a greater frequency of its consumption ( p = 0.034) in relation to females
16. Luxembourg
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,497
An average person in Luxembourg consumes about 3,497 calories per day. Men in Luxembourg consume more calories than women on average. Adult men have an obesity prevalence of 27.5%, while for women it is 22.7%.
15. Algeria
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,519
Algeria is one of the countries that consumes the most calories with an average person consuming at least 3,519 calories in a day. Cereals, particularly wheat, are the main source of calories in the Algerian diet, providing 59% of daily calories and 70% of protein. Wheat accounts for 60% of energy intake (calories), 70% of total protein, and 88% of vegetable protein in the average Algerian diet. In terms of gender, men consume more animal protein from meat (70.9%) and fish (67%), fruits (69.1%), potatoes (60.3%), and desserts (68.8%), while women consume more fats, oil (77.3%), butter (70.7%), vegetables (62.1%), and milk (60.4%).
14. Poland
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,539
Around 3,539 calories are consumed by an average Poland person daily. A study that examined the eating habits of Polish young adults aged 20-26 found significant differences between genders. The study shows that a greater number of women (37.4%) than men (31.6%) declared regular consumption of some meals and only one in ten women and one in thirty men reported eating meals at regular hours.
13. Canada
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,569
Canada stands thirteenth among the countries with the highest daily calorie consumption in the world with an average person in Canada consuming 3,569 calories. Young teenage boys (12-19 years) consume the highest percentage of their daily caloric intake from fast food, at around 9.3%. Even the youngest age group of boys (2-8 years) get about 8.8% of their daily calories from fast food.
12. Israel
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,570
An average Israeli consumes about 3,570 calories per day, which places Israel among the most calorie-consuming countries. A study published in 2023 found that about a third of Israeli adults considered normal weight are actually obese, even if they don’t know it. The study found that 38.5% of normal-weight women and 26.5% of normal-weight men had excess body fat.
11. France
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,582
People in France consume at least 3,582 calories a day. Young women (18-35) in France consume fast food at least once a week, with 62.7% eating fast food and 61.0% drinking sugary soft drinks weekly. There are gender differences in fast food consumption patterns. Men are more likely to eat fast food for lunch (48.3% vs 39.1% for women), while women are more likely to consume it as a snack (25.7% vs 19.5% for men).
10. Romania
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,600
Romania secures tenth place for being one of the most calorie consuming countries in the world with an average Romanian consuming 3,600 calories a day. Fast food consumption is high in the country with over half of respondents having a fast-food meal at least once a month, with men being more attracted to these products than women. A study conducted in 2022 found that diet modification was needed to increase the daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and seafood among Romanians.
9. Qatar
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,609
Qatari’s consume around 3,609 calories on average. Fast food consumption is a major contributor to the high-calorie intake in Qatar. A study found that the frequency of fast food intake (≥4 times/week) was 25.5%, which is more prevalent than the intake of fruits (19.1%) and vegetables (19.3%). The most commonly consumed high-calorie foods in Qatar include fast food, sugary drinks, and high-fat, processed foods.
8. Italy
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,621
Italy is one of the countries with the highest daily calorie consumption in the world with an average Italian consuming at least 3,621 calories a day. According to a 2018 study, 48.1% of girls aged 11-15 skip breakfast daily, compared to 38.3% of boys. Additionally, 54.1% of adolescents do not consume fruits and vegetables daily, and 11.3% of girls drink sugary beverages at least once a day. Italians are consuming more refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and sugar, as well as more red meat and dairy products like butter instead of olive oil
7. Germany
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,648
An average person in Germany consumes about 3,648 calories a day. In terms of fast food consumption, 12- to 17-year-old boys consume the most, with 15.5% of them eating more than 150 grams of fast food per day. Boys and girls with low socioeconomic status (SES) get at least 10% of their daily energy from fast food significantly more often than those with high SES. Men consume 36% of their daily calories in the form of fats, while women consume 34%
6. Austria
Daily Calorie Consumption per Capita: 3,739
Austria stands sixth among the most calorie-consuming countries in the world. 29% of the Austrian population frequently eats meals outside the home, with men doing so nearly twice as often as women. Higher-income households are more likely to eat out, with 47% of those earning over 30,000 ATS frequently eating out compared to only 18% of those earning under 15,000 ATS.
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Disclosure. None: The 20 Countries with the Highest Daily Calorie Consumption in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.