According to data from World Population Review (2022), Romania tops the list at 17.1 liters of pure alcohol per year, followed by Georgia (15.5 L), Latvia (14.7 L), Moldova (14.1 L), Czechia (13.7 L), Lithuania (12.2 L), Namibia (12 L), Poland (11.9 L), Austria (11.8 L), and Bulgaria (11.5 L).

This trend aligns with broader patterns documented by global health institutions. The World Health Organisation’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health tracks per-capita consumption (recorded and unrecorded) among adults aged 15 and older.

WHO data show that Europe continues to register some of the highest national averages, with the European region’s average per capita alcohol consumption among the highest globally.

Health risks, trends, and shifts in drinking culture

High alcohol consumption carries well-documented health and social risks. The WHO notes that harmful alcohol use is a major contributor to noncommunicable diseases (such as liver disease, cancers, cardiovascular disorders) and injuries.

However, a report by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) suggests some positive movement: the 2025 progress report confirms a roughly 20% drop in alcohol-attributable deaths in several countries, indicating that prevention and policy interventions may be having an impact.

In parallel, consumer preferences are shifting. In Europe, a market survey by Circana shows that many young adults are reducing alcohol intake for health and taste reasons. Over 70% of respondents said they’re drinking less, and nearly a quarter of 25-to-35-year-olds reported quitting alcohol entirely.

These changes reflect broader trends in the global beverage industry. According to IWSR’s latest analysis, 2025 is shaping up to be a transitional year, with “premiumisation,” new lifestyle norms, and evolving regulatory landscapes influencing alcohol markets.

A new analysis by World Visualized, drawing on data from WorldStats, highlights that Myanmar tops the list of countries with the highest per capita rice consumption at a staggering 278.97 kg per person per year.

It’s followed closely by Comoros (274.51 kg), Gambia (256.4 kg), Cambodia (247.54 kg), and Bangladesh (246.85 kg). Completing the top ten are Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), global rice utilisation in 2023/24 stood at approximately 522 million tonnes, reflecting steady demand despite elevated prices. However, projections for 2024/25 indicate renewed growth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa , where consumption is expected to continue expanding.

The FAO and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) both forecast a rise in global rice output through 2025/26. The USDA estimates total production could reach 541.6 million tonnes (milled basis), led by higher yields in India and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, global rice trade is projected to climb to nearly 60 million tonnes, driven largely by expanding Indian exports.

India, the world’s largest rice exporter, recently lifted its two-year ban on de-oiled rice bran exports, easing domestic stockpiles and injecting new volume into the global market.

However, not all policy movements are liberalising. The Philippines, one of Asia’s largest rice importers, may extend its import restrictions into early 2026 to protect local farmers, a move analysts say could tighten supply and nudge prices upward in the coming quarters.

Global rice prices have been on a sharp downward trend. The FAO Rice Price Index has fallen about 13% in 2025, and benchmark prices for Thailand ’s 5% broken white rice are now at their lowest levels in eight years. The drop comes after record harvests and excess stockpiles, particularly from India, which exported more than 33 million tonnes in 2024.

The underlying story involves tradition, changing attitudes, public health , and activist pressure.

Historically, dog meat has been consumed in certain cultures as a source of protein, in ritual contexts, or out of necessity. Today, it persists in Cambodia, China, parts of Northeastern India, Indonesia, Ghana, Laos, Nigeria, South Korea, Switzerland, and Vietnam.

China is often cited as the largest consumer. Although precise numbers are elusive, some estimates place dog slaughter in the tens of millions annually.

In response to global outrage and local activism, cities such as Shenzhen and Zhuhai banned dog (and cat) meat trading in 2020, and China’s Ministry of Agriculture has since reclassified dogs as companion animals rather than livestock .

Vietnam is another notable example—with millions of dogs reportedly processed annually for consumption, often under conditions that raise serious animal welfare and safety concerns.

In South Korea, a long-standing cultural practice is in the process of fading. In January 2024, the Korean National Assembly unanimously passed legislation to ban dog meat production and sale by 2027, giving farmers and traders a transition window.

In Indonesia, although Muslim dietary laws generally regard dog meat as forbidden (haram), it remains in use among certain ethnic groups and regions. Welfare groups estimate that over 1 million dogs per year may be slaughtered in Indonesia for consumption. On Bali alone, 60,000 to 70,000 dogs are reportedly killed annually.

Ghana is among the African nations where dog meat consumption has cultural and ritual significance. Ethnic groups such as the Tallensi, Akyims, Kokis, and Yaakuma have long histories of consuming dog meat.

However, the global momentum appears to be shifting. International pressure, rising awareness of animal welfare, health risks (such as parasites, bacterial infections, and contamination), and changing generational attitudes are all contributing to a decline in the practice.

Together, the next eight nations, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil , South Korea, Canada and Germany, trail far behind but still collectively account for a massive share of global demand.

According to figures compiled by Jagran Josh from U.S. Energy Information Administration data, the top 10 oil-consuming countries account for about 61 million barrels per day, or roughly 61 % of global consumption.

Their ranking reads: United States (20.01 million bpd), China (15.15), India (5.05), Russia (3.68), Saudi Arabia (3.65), Japan (3.38), Brazil (3.03), South Korea (2.55), Canada (2.41) and Germany (2.18).

With the International Energy Agency projecting global demand to hit 103.9 million barrels per day in 2025, these few countries wield outsized influence over oil markets.

The United States alone consumed about 20.25 million barrels per day in 2023, roughly 20 % of world petroleum use, with transportation the dominant sector. China, now the world’s largest crude‑oil importer, has seen demand surge from 2.3 million barrels per day in 1990 to around 16.2 million bpd in 2023.

India, consuming 5.05 million barrels per day, is the third‑largest consumer and has ramped up from 1.2 million bpd in 1990. It is also heavily reliant on imports; over 85 % of its crude comes from abroad, leaving it vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and price swings. India’s recent pivot back to Middle Eastern suppliers after Russia trimmed exports underscores this dependency.

A concise quiz from the UPSC portal Vajiram & Ravi points out that the top five oil consumers, the United States, China, India, Russia and Japan, together use nearly 48 % of the world’s oil. On the supply side, just five countries produce about half of all crudevajiramandravi.com, making the market doubly concentrated.

While developed economies still dominate oil consumption, Asia is closing the gap.

As China and India’s appetite grows, and as Western nations push toward cleaner energy, the future of oil will hinge on how these few big consumers balance growth with energy transition. In this high‑stakes landscape, policy decisions in Washington, Beijing and New Delhi will ripple through fuel prices, trade flows and global climate goals.

According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2022-2031, cheese consumption, however, varies significantly across the globe.

Switzerland, famous for its fondue and raclette, leads the world in cheese consumption, with an average of 22.48 kg per person annually. Swiss cheese varieties like Emmental and Gruyère are popular both domestically and internationally.

Israel follows closely, with an average consumption of 18.49 kg per person per year. Cheese is a staple in the Israeli diet, often enjoyed with bread and as part of various traditional dishes.

Norwegians consume around 18.18 kg of cheese per person each year. The United States also has an average cheese consumption of 17.92 kg per person annually.

Canada consumes about 14.10 kg of cheese per person per year. Australians enjoy approximately 13.04 kg of cheese per person annually.