From staggering trillion-dollar valuations and the meteoric rise of sober curiosity to a fierce battle for the next generation's glass, the global alcohol industry is a dynamic and complex landscape, as revealed by its 2023 valuation of approximately $1.666 trillion and a market on track to hit $2 trillion by 2030.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global alcoholic beverages market was valued at approximately USD 1,666.4 billion
- The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the global alcohol market from 2019 to 2023 was 2.8%
- Premium alcoholic beverages accounted for 35% of global market value in 2023
- Global pure alcohol consumption reached 5.6 liters per capita aged 15+ in 2019 (latest WHO data)
- Beer accounted for 36% of global pure alcohol consumed in 2019
- Spirits made up 38% of total alcohol consumption volume worldwide in 2019
- Global beer production reached 1.92 billion hectoliters in 2023
- China produced 35% of world's beer at 370 million hectoliters in 2023
- U.S. beer production volume was 170 million hectoliters in 2023
- Asia beer consumption per capita averaged 25 liters in 2023
- Europe's per capita alcohol consumption led at 9.8 liters pure alcohol in 2023 est.
- North America spirits market share 25% of global in 2023
- Premium spirits grew 7% globally driven by Asia 2023
- No- and low-alcohol segment to grow 6% CAGR to 2028
- RTDs fastest growing at 8% CAGR 2023-2028 globally
The global alcohol industry is large and growing through premiumization and new beverage trends.
Consumption
- Global pure alcohol consumption reached 5.6 liters per capita aged 15+ in 2019 (latest WHO data)
- Beer accounted for 36% of global pure alcohol consumed in 2019
- Spirits made up 38% of total alcohol consumption volume worldwide in 2019
- Wine represented 8% of global alcohol consumption by volume in 2019
- Unrecorded alcohol consumption was 24.2% of total global intake in 2019
- Total recorded alcohol consumption per capita was 5.5 liters in high-income countries in 2019
- In Europe, per capita consumption averaged 9.2 liters pure alcohol in 2019
- Americas region averaged 7.7 liters per capita pure alcohol consumption in 2019
- Africa had the lowest per capita at 4.8 liters pure alcohol in 2019
- 43% of global population aged 15+ abstained from alcohol in 2019
- Heavy episodic drinking prevalence was 22.6% among drinkers worldwide in 2019
- Global beer consumption volume was 189 billion liters in 2023
- Spirits consumption totaled 95 billion liters globally in 2023
- Wine consumption volume reached 23.5 billion liters worldwide in 2023
- RTD alcohol consumption grew to 4.5 billion liters in 2023
- Per capita beer consumption highest in Czech Republic at 188 liters in 2023
- U.S. adults consumed average 2.3 gallons of alcohol per person in 2023
- China alcohol consumption per capita was 7.2 liters pure alcohol in 2019
- India saw 5.7 liters per capita pure alcohol intake in 2019
- Brazil's per capita alcohol consumption was 7.8 liters in 2019
- Russia averaged 11.1 liters pure alcohol per capita in 2019
- Germany beer consumption per capita was 99 liters in 2023
- France wine consumption per capita hit 45 liters in 2023
- UK spirits consumption averaged 10.5 liters per capita in 2023
- Global female alcohol consumers averaged 3.5 liters pure alcohol per capita in 2019
- Male global per capita consumption was 8.0 liters pure alcohol in 2019
- 18-24 year olds consumed 15% more alcohol volume than average in 2023
- Millennials drove 40% of premium spirits consumption globally in 2023
- Gen Z alcohol consumption declined 20% from 2019 levels in 2023
Consumption Interpretation
The world continues to raise its glass with disciplined enthusiasm, where the sober 43% quietly observe a complex ritual in which Europe leads the charge, spirits narrowly edge out beer for the global crown, and a sober Gen Z hints at a future that may be slightly less pickled.
Market Size
- In 2023, the global alcoholic beverages market was valued at approximately USD 1,666.4 billion
- The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the global alcohol market from 2019 to 2023 was 2.8%
- Premium alcoholic beverages accounted for 35% of global market value in 2023
- Total above-premium spirits sales reached 1.2 billion cases globally in 2023
- The global ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol market grew by 12% in volume in 2023
- Non-alcoholic beer market value hit USD 10 billion worldwide in 2023
- Global craft beer market size was estimated at USD 108.9 billion in 2023
- The spirits segment dominated with 45% share of global alcohol revenue in 2023
- Low- and no-alcohol beverages grew by 31% in value in 2023
- Global beer market revenue reached USD 784.4 billion in 2023
- Wine market global value stood at USD 340 billion in 2023
- Spirits market revenue was USD 542 billion globally in 2023
- RTDs and spirits-based coolers market valued at USD 28.5 billion in 2023
- Global alcohol e-commerce sales hit USD 45 billion in 2023
- Organic wine market size was USD 8.5 billion worldwide in 2023
- Cider market global revenue reached USD 25 billion in 2023
- Global alcohol market projected to reach USD 2 trillion by 2030 at 3.2% CAGR
- Premiumization drove 8% value growth in global alcohol in 2023
- Off-trade alcohol sales accounted for 65% of global value in 2023
- On-trade channel recovered to 35% of global alcohol sales value in 2023
- Asia-Pacific region held 40% of global alcohol market value in 2023
- Europe contributed 30% to global alcohol market revenue in 2023
- North America alcohol market valued at USD 400 billion in 2023
- Latin America alcohol market size was USD 150 billion in 2023
- Middle East & Africa alcohol market grew 5% to USD 50 billion in 2023
- Global per capita alcohol spending averaged USD 200 in 2023
- Top 10 alcohol companies held 25% of global market share in 2023
- AB InBev's global revenue from alcohol was USD 59 billion in 2023
- Diageo's worldwide sales reached GBP 20.3 billion in fiscal 2023
Market Size Interpretation
While humanity spent 2023 drinking over a trillion dollars in premium spirits and no-alcohol alternatives, the industry soberly calculated its path to a two-trillion-dollar hangover by 2030.
Production
- Global beer production reached 1.92 billion hectoliters in 2023
- China produced 35% of world's beer at 370 million hectoliters in 2023
- U.S. beer production volume was 170 million hectoliters in 2023
- Brazil ranked third with 143 million hectoliters beer production in 2023
- Germany produced 80 million hectoliters of beer in 2023
- Global spirits production totaled 5.5 billion liters of pure alcohol in 2022
- Vodka production led spirits at 4.8 billion liters annually worldwide
- Whiskey global production capacity exceeded 2 billion liters in 2023
- Rum production reached 1.9 billion liters globally in 2023
- Global wine production hit 260 million hectoliters in 2023
- Italy led wine production with 44 million hectoliters in 2023
- France produced 47.8 million hectoliters of wine in 2023
- Spain's wine output was 33.5 million hectoliters in 2023
- U.S. wine production reached 24 million hectoliters in 2023
- Australia produced 9.5 million hectoliters of wine in 2023
- Global beer exports totaled 18.5% of production in 2023
- Mexico exported 4.5 million hectoliters of beer in 2023
- Netherlands beer exports reached 2.1 million hectoliters in 2023
- Global spirits exports valued at USD 50 billion in 2023
- Scotch whisky exports hit 1.66 billion GBP in 2023
- Cognac exports reached 220 million bottles in 2023
- Global wine exports volume was 98 million hectoliters in 2023
- France exported 14.5 million hectoliters of wine in 2023
- Italy wine exports totaled 21.9 million hectoliters in 2023
- U.S. beer exports grew 5% to 2.8 million hectoliters in 2023
- China imported 1.2 million tons of malted barley for beer production in 2023
- Global hops production for beer was 150,000 tons in 2023
- U.S. craft breweries numbered 9,730 producing 24.5 million barrels in 2023
- Global low-alcohol beer production doubled to 15% of total in 2023
- Asia-Pacific held 45% of global beer production share in 2023
- Europe beer production share was 25% worldwide in 2023
- North America produced 18% of global beer in 2023
- Africa & Middle East beer production grew 4% to 6% global share in 2023
- Latin America beer output stable at 15% global in 2023
- China spirits production dominated by baijiu at 1.2 billion liters in 2023
- Europe wine production region share 50% globally in 2023
Production Interpretation
The statistics reveal that humanity is united not by politics or philosophy, but by a truly staggering global commitment to brewing, distilling, and fermenting our collective worries into a shared, and highly exportable, state of cheer.
Regional
- Asia beer consumption per capita averaged 25 liters in 2023
- Europe's per capita alcohol consumption led at 9.8 liters pure alcohol in 2023 est.
- North America spirits market share 25% of global in 2023
- Latin America beer dominates 70% of alcohol consumption in region 2023
- Middle East alcohol market constrained but grew 6% in 2023
- Africa beer production per capita highest growth at 5.2% CAGR 2018-2023
- U.S. alcohol market valued USD 280 billion in 2023
- China alcohol market size USD 450 billion dominating Asia in 2023
- Brazil alcohol sales volume 25 billion liters in 2023
- Germany market revenue USD 45 billion for alcohol in 2023
- UK alcohol consumption value GBP 50 billion in 2023
- India alcohol market grew 8% to USD 52 billion in 2023
- Australia wine exports USD 2.2 billion in 2023
- South Africa beer market leader in Africa at USD 10 billion 2023
- Mexico tequila production 500 million liters mostly exported 2023
- Russia vodka consumption 10 liters per capita in 2023
- Japan whiskey market premium growth 15% in 2023
- France champagne production 300 million bottles in 2023
- Canada beer market CAD 20 billion in 2023
- Nigeria alcohol market USD 15 billion driven by beer 2023
- Argentina wine production 11 million hectoliters 2023
- Vietnam beer consumption 4.5 billion liters 2023
- Poland vodka production 400 million liters 2023
- South Korea soju sales 80 million cases 2023
- UAE alcohol imports USD 2 billion despite restrictions 2023
- Thailand spirits market baijiu-like growth 10% 2023
- Colombia beer exports 3 million hectoliters 2023
- Turkey raki production 70 million liters 2023
Regional Interpretation
The data paints a globe where Europeans drink the strongest, Asians drink the most volume, Latin Americans are loyal to beer, North Americans favor spirits, and nearly every market, from the constrained Middle East to the booming African breweries, proves that humanity's quest for a good drink is a spirited and steadfastly profitable global enterprise.
Trends
- Premium spirits grew 7% globally driven by Asia 2023
- No- and low-alcohol segment to grow 6% CAGR to 2028
- RTDs fastest growing at 8% CAGR 2023-2028 globally
- Sustainability focus: 60% consumers prefer eco-friendly packaging 2023
- E-commerce alcohol sales projected 10% CAGR to 2028
- Health trends boost non-alcoholic to 2% of total volume by 2028
- Premiumization trend: above-premium 45% value share by 2028
- Gen Z shift to wine and RTDs up 25% preference 2023
- Craft spirits growth 12% annually to 2028
- Direct-to-consumer sales up 20% post-pandemic 2023
- Flavored spirits popularity rose 15% in 2023
- Cannabis-infused alcohol trials in 10 markets 2023
- Women driving 30% of premium gin sales growth 2023
- Local artisanal brands up 18% in emerging markets 2023
- Digital marketing spend doubled to USD 5 billion 2023
- Zero-sugar RTDs grew 25% in 2023
- Tequila category up 14% globally in 2023
- Mezcal premiumization 20% growth 2023
- Hard seltzer peak then stabilized at 10% RTD share 2023
- AI in production optimization adopted by 40% top brewers 2023
- Global market forecast to grow 2.6% volume to 283 billion liters by 2028
- Value growth projected 4.1% CAGR to USD 2.2 trillion by 2028
- Off-trade to reach 70% value share by 2028
- On-premise recovery to 30% by 2028 post-COVID
Trends Interpretation
While sober curiosity brews a modest 2% of total volume and zero-proof options climb, the industry's true spirit remains decidedly spirited, with premiumization, tequila's rise, and clever digital engagement driving the bulk of growth toward a staggering $2.2 trillion valuation.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2IWSRiwsr.comVisit source
- Reference 3GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 4FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 5MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 6WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 7ANHEUSER-BUSCHanheuser-busch.comVisit source
- Reference 8DIAGEOdiageo.comVisit source
- Reference 9INTERNATIONALWINEANDFOODinternationalwineandfood.comVisit source
- Reference 10KIRINHOLDINGSkirinholdings.comVisit source
- Reference 11DISTILLEDSPIRITSdistilledspirits.orgVisit source
- Reference 12VINITALYvinitaly.comVisit source
- Reference 13WSTAwsta.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 14BREWERSASSOCIATIONbrewersassociation.orgVisit source
- Reference 15OIVoiv.intVisit source
- Reference 16DISTILLED-SPIRITSdistilled-spirits.orgVisit source
- Reference 17WINEBUSINESSwinebusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 18WINEAUSTRALIAwineaustralia.comVisit source
- Reference 19SCOTCH-WHISKYscotch-whisky.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 20BNIQUEURS-COGNACbniqueurs-cognac.comVisit source
- Reference 21ABFabf.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 22HOPSTEINERhopsteiner.comVisit source
- Reference 23PARLIAMENTparliament.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 24OXFORDECONOMICSoxfordeconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 25ABIAMabiam.org.brVisit source
- Reference 26SABMILLERsabmiller.comVisit source
- Reference 27TEQUILAMATCHMAKERtequilamatchmaker.comVisit source
- Reference 28JAPANTIMESjapantimes.co.jpVisit source
- Reference 29CHAMPAGNEchampagne.frVisit source
- Reference 30STATCANstatcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 31NIGERIANBREWERIESnigerianbreweries.comVisit source
- Reference 32VIETNAMBREWHOUSEvietnambrewhouse.com.vnVisit source
- Reference 33HITEJINROhitejinro.comVisit source
- Reference 34BAVARIAbavaria.com.coVisit source
- Reference 35TURKISHALCOHOLICBEVERAGESturkishalcoholicbeverages.comVisit source
- Reference 36TEQUILAtequila.netVisit source
- Reference 37COUNCILOFMEZCALScouncilofmezcals.comVisit source