In this piece, we will take a look at the top five countries with the highest percentage of smokers. If you want to take a detailed look at the cigarette and tobacco industry, head on over to Top 20 Countries with the Highest Percentage of Smokers.
5. Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Estimate of current tobacco smoking prevalence (%): 37.5
The Independent State of Papua New Guinea, or Papua New Guinea is an Oceanic island country that is one of the largest of its kind. It is a developing nation with a large number of people living through farming and agriculture. Papua New Guinea has a small $25 billion economy and a GDP per capita of $2,504. It has a relatively modest industry and relies primarily on exporting natural resources such as crude oil and gold to earn foreign exchange.
4. Republic of Kiribati
Estimate of current tobacco smoking prevalence (%): 37.5
The Republic of Kiribati is another Oceanic country. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it has a population of a little over a hundred thousand people. Kiribati is also one of the smallest countries in terms of area, covering just 811 square kilometers. It has a $187 million economy, lending it a modest GDP per capita of $1,599. The bulk of Kiribati’s exports come through fish and related products, with a small chunk also accounted for by fishing ships. Naturally, this undiversified economy also makes the country dependent on international aid.
3. Republic of Bulgaria
Estimate of current tobacco smoking prevalence (%): 38
The Republic of Bulgaria is a Southeastern European nation. It is one of the older countries on our list in terms of established governance, with the first Bulgarian Empire set up in the seventh century. Bulgaria has a diversified economy, a relic of its Soviet past. The country is also one of the largest suppliers of tobacco to the world, making it perhaps unsurprising that a large percentage of Bulgarians also smoke the plant.
2. Republic of Serbia
Estimate of current tobacco smoking prevalence (%): 39
The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked Central European nation. It has a population of 6.5 million people and a GDP per capita of $10,147. The country has hosted humans for thousands of years, and modern day Serbia has a diversified economy made up of agricultural, industrial, and natural resource products. Additionally, it also derives a small chunk of its foreign exchange from tobacco exports. However, the Serbian economy has failed to fully take off due to conflicts in history which have also led to sanctions.
1. Republic of Nauru
Estimate of current tobacco smoking prevalence (%): 42.1
The Republic of Nauru is an Oceanic island nation. One of the smallest nations in the world, it has an area of 21 square kilometers. This also leads Nauru to have a relatively small economy of $133 million, but its low population of roughly eleven thousand lends it a high GDP per capita of $10,125.
Disclosure: None. You can also take a look at Top 15 Independent Oil and Gas Companies in the World and Military Spending by Country in 2023: 20 Largest Defense Budgets.
