Switzerland was the leading country in chocolate consumption per capita in 2017, with citizens eating nearly nine kilos of the sweet stuff in that year. Germany, their European neighbours come in second.
In descending order, here are the countries that consume chocolate the most.
10: Slovakia
Slovaks purchased 10.7 pounds of chocolate per person in 2015. Local chocolatier Lyra Mandala became the country’s first Great Taste Award winner in 2014 for their chocolate-dusted freeze-dried fruit. The small operation employs no more than 20 people at a time and only offers products regionally.
9: Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, 10.9 pounds of chocolate are purchased per person. The chocolate market has seen impressive growth, with household spending on confectionery surpassing spending on bread and butter. The country and its chocolate have also been caught in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with various pressures to ban purchases and sales across borders.
8: Sweden
The intense craving for chocolates and its treatment as a product of indulgence has kept the chocolate confectionery industry alive and thriving in Sweden, where the average Swede consumes 14.6 pounds of chocolate each year. The stable demand for chocolates in Sweden has also discouraged the chocolate manufacturers from manufacturing sugar-free chocolates.
7: Estonia
Estonians purchase 12 pounds of chocolate per person. Holiday chocolate indulgence is inclusive in the country, where Valentine’s Day is called “Friend’s Day.” Single people can find love among other single travellers during a traditional ride on the ‘love bus.’
6: Norway
Norwegians like their chocolate, purchasing 13 pounds of it per person. The Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bar is especially popular around the Easter holiday during cross-country ski trips. The makers of the Kvikk Lunsj, Mondelēz International, recently won a legal battle against Nestle and the company’s attempt to trademark the shape of the similar-looking Kit Kat.
5: United Kingdom
Brits purchase 14.6 pounds of chocolate per person. Plain chocolate appears to be the most popular choice for the people of the United Kingdom with nearly 73% of the population favouring this type of chocolate. Caramel-filled chocolates and other flavoured chocolates are also popular there, while dark chocolates are generally consumed by a niche consumer segment.
4: Ireland
The Irish are really fond of chocolates as evident from the global figures that indicate that the Irish consume 17.4 pounds of chocolate per capita per year. Irish people regard chocolate as a confectionery product that is to be enjoyed and hence often ignore the health aspects of excessive chocolate consumption.
3: Austria
Some 15.7 pounds of chocolate are purchased per person in Austria. A Mozartkugel is a treat named after Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Traditionally round, filled with marzipan and covered in dark chocolate, it was created by the confectioner Paul Furst in Salzburg in 1890.
2: Germany
Germany is the world’s second top consumer of chocolate products with Germans consuming 17.8 pounds of chocolate per capita per year. 45% of Germans are estimated to buy chocolates on impulse, 76% buy chocolates as a treat and 60% buy chocolates for satisfying their cravings for the sweet confectionery.
1: Switzerland
A visit to Switzerland is never complete without tasting the mouth-watering Swiss chocolates and bringing them back home for friends and family. However, it is not only the tourists but also the Swiss people who love the delicious chocolates manufactured by the top Swiss brands in the country. The Swiss people lead the world in chocolate consumption with 19.4 pounds of chocolate being consumed by the Swiss people per capita per year.
