From devouring the oceans to farming them, our plates tell a surprising story: in 2020, global per capita fish consumption reached an all-time high of 20.7 kilograms, marking a seismic shift in how we feed the planet.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, global apparent fish consumption reached 20.7 kg per capita, an all-time high, reflecting a 1.3% increase from 2019
- World fish food supply grew from 9.9 kg per capita in 1961 to 20.5 kg in 2019, driven by aquaculture expansion
- By 2022, annual global fish consumption totaled approximately 179 million tonnes, including 87% for direct human consumption
- Global per capita fish consumption averaged 20.2 kg in 2018, projected to rise to 21.5 kg by 2030 due to population growth and dietary shifts
- In 1961, average per capita fish supply was 9.0 kg, increasing to 20.3 kg by 2017, a 126% rise over 56 years
- Europeans consumed an average of 24.4 kg of fish per capita in 2020, the highest regionally, compared to global average of 20.7 kg
- Asia accounted for 57% of global fish consumption in 2020, with China alone consuming 38% of the world total at 37.5 kg per capita
- North America’s fish consumption was 24.2 kg per capita in 2019, driven by imports covering 90% of supply
- Africa’s per capita fish consumption stood at 9.1 kg in 2020, with inland capture fisheries providing 80% of supply
- Salmon was the most consumed farmed fish globally in 2022, with 2.6 million tonnes for human consumption
- Shrimp consumption reached 5.2 million tonnes in 2021, accounting for 20% of global seafood trade value
- Tilapia global production for consumption hit 1.8 million tonnes in 2020, popular in Asia and Africa
- Global fish consumption grew at 3.1% annually from 1961-2019, outpacing population growth by 1.3%
- From 2010-2020, apparent global fish consumption increased by 18%, from 17.1 to 20.2 kg per capita
- Aquaculture's share in fish for human consumption rose from 26% in 2000 to 51% in 2020
Global fish consumption hit record highs per person in 2020, driven significantly by the rise of aquaculture.
Per Capita Consumption
- Global per capita fish consumption averaged 20.2 kg in 2018, projected to rise to 21.5 kg by 2030 due to population growth and dietary shifts
- In 1961, average per capita fish supply was 9.0 kg, increasing to 20.3 kg by 2017, a 126% rise over 56 years
- Europeans consumed an average of 24.4 kg of fish per capita in 2020, the highest regionally, compared to global average of 20.7 kg
- Small island developing states (SIDS) had the highest per capita fish consumption at 32.5 kg in 2020, vital for food security
- In low-income food-deficit countries, per capita fish consumption reached 10.2 kg in 2020, up 0.8% annually since 2010
- Per capita supply in Oceania reached 27.1 kg in 2020, highest among regions
- China's per capita fish consumption was 37.5 kg in 2020, 80% above global average
- Bangladesh per capita consumption hit 14.2 kg in 2020, driven by inland aquaculture
- Japan's fish intake averaged 49.2 kg per capita in 2019, down from 70 kg in 1960s
- USA per capita seafood consumption was 22.2 kg in 2021, led by shrimp at 2.4 kg
- India’s per capita fish supply grew to 8.9 kg in 2020 from 4.5 kg in 2000
- Global per capita fish from aquaculture rose to 12.5 kg in 2022 from 9 kg in 2010
- Norway's per capita consumption was 55 kg in 2021, highest worldwide
- Indonesia per capita fish consumption 55.3 kg in 2020, top consumer
- Brazil averaged 9.5 kg per capita in 2021, growing 4% yearly
- Egypt's per capita reached 21.7 kg in 2020, Nile tilapia dominant
Per Capita Consumption Interpretation
Despite the ocean's best efforts to keep up, humanity's appetite for fish is swelling like a tide, leaving our plates—from the record-breaking 55 kg feasts in Indonesia to the more modest yet growing portions in India—increasingly awash in scales and fins.
Regional Consumption Patterns
- Asia accounted for 57% of global fish consumption in 2020, with China alone consuming 38% of the world total at 37.5 kg per capita
- North America’s fish consumption was 24.2 kg per capita in 2019, driven by imports covering 90% of supply
- Africa’s per capita fish consumption stood at 9.1 kg in 2020, with inland capture fisheries providing 80% of supply
- EU-27 countries consumed 11.5 million tonnes of fish in 2021, averaging 25.5 kg per capita
- Latin America and Caribbean region saw fish consumption rise to 10.3 kg per capita in 2020, up 15% since 2010
- Sub-Saharan Africa consumption averaged 7.5 kg per capita in 2020, with 50% from inland sources
- Southeast Asia consumed 28.5 million tonnes of fish in 2020, 30% of global total
- Middle East per capita fish consumption was 12.4 kg in 2020, reliant on imports
- Russia’s fish consumption reached 22.1 kg per capita in 2021, up 5% from 2019
- Pacific Islands average 50 kg per capita fish consumption, critical for nutrition
- Western Europe fish consumption 25.8 kg/capita 2020, stable since 2010
- East Asia excluding China averaged 40 kg/capita 2020
- Near East consumption 13.2 kg/capita 2020, import dependent
- Canada seafood consumption 24.5 kg/capita 2021
- South Asia 12.1 kg/capita 2020, rising with aquaculture
Regional Consumption Patterns Interpretation
While Asia's immense appetite for fish, led by China, devours over half the global catch, the world's plates tell a story of stark inequality, from the fish-rich diets of the Pacific Islands to Africa's reliance on modest inland sources and many regions' precarious dependence on imports, revealing a fragile and fragmented global food system where geography and economics, not just taste, decide who gets to eat from the sea.
Species-Specific Consumption
- Salmon was the most consumed farmed fish globally in 2022, with 2.6 million tonnes for human consumption
- Shrimp consumption reached 5.2 million tonnes in 2021, accounting for 20% of global seafood trade value
- Tilapia global production for consumption hit 1.8 million tonnes in 2020, popular in Asia and Africa
- Tuna consumption totaled 5 million tonnes annually, with canned tuna comprising 60% of that volume in 2022
- Carp species contributed 12% to global freshwater fish consumption, around 4 million tonnes in 2020
- Catfish (Pangasius) consumption globally was 1.5 million tonnes in 2022, mainly Vietnam export
- Cod and haddock combined for 2.1 million tonnes consumption in 2020, popular in Europe
- Mackerel supply for consumption was 3.2 million tonnes in 2020, key small pelagic
- Squid and octopus totaled 4.5 million tonnes for human consumption in 2021
- Milkfish production for consumption reached 0.9 million tonnes in 2020, Asia-focused
- Trout farmed production for consumption 0.6 million tonnes 2020, Europe led
- Pollock consumption 3.8 million tonnes 2021, Alaska pollock key
- Anchovy used 70% for fishmeal but direct consumption 0.8 million tonnes
- Pangasius exports supported 2 kg/capita consumption in Vietnam 2022
- Seabass/Seabream 0.7 million tonnes consumption 2020, Mediterranean focus
Species-Specific Consumption Interpretation
We’ve learned that humanity’s relationship with the sea can be summed up as an earnest but slightly chaotic potluck: salmon is the elegant guest of honor, shrimp is the obscenely expensive wine, canned tuna is the reliable casserole brought by everyone, and somewhere a squid is watching it all unfold with eight very curious arms.
Total Global Consumption
- In 2020, global apparent fish consumption reached 20.7 kg per capita, an all-time high, reflecting a 1.3% increase from 2019
- World fish food supply grew from 9.9 kg per capita in 1961 to 20.5 kg in 2019, driven by aquaculture expansion
- By 2022, annual global fish consumption totaled approximately 179 million tonnes, including 87% for direct human consumption
- Inland fisheries contribute about 13% to global fish consumption for food, equating to 17 million tonnes annually as of 2020
- Aquaculture provided 51% of the world's fish for human consumption in 2020, up from 49% in 2018
- Global fish food supply hit 20.5 kg/capita in 2019, up from 14.4 kg in 1990
- Capture fisheries provided 49% of fish for human consumption in 2020, totaling 82 million tonnes
- Processed fish products for consumption reached 25 million tonnes in 2022 globally
- Women in fishing-dependent communities consume 20% more fish than average due to local access
- Frozen fish accounted for 40% of global fish consumption volume in 2021
- Global inland fish supply for consumption was 14.5 million tonnes in 2020
- Marine capture fisheries yielded 81 million tonnes for human food in 2020
- Global fish consumption totalled 178 million tonnes in 2021, 87% direct human use
- Non-food uses took 13% of fish production in 2020, mainly fishmeal for animal feed
- Developed countries consumed 24 kg/capita in 2020 vs 17 kg in developing nations
- Live/fresh fish made up 35% of consumption in Asia, vs 10% in Europe 2020
- Canned fish consumption was 8 million tonnes globally in 2021
Total Global Consumption Interpretation
We're increasingly hooked on fish, farming our way to record platefuls while still hauling in nearly half from the wild, proving that when the chips are down—or rather, when they're grilled, frozen, or canned—our appetite for the sea’s bounty is both insatiable and ingeniously met.
Trends and Projections
- Global fish consumption grew at 3.1% annually from 1961-2019, outpacing population growth by 1.3%
- From 2010-2020, apparent global fish consumption increased by 18%, from 17.1 to 20.2 kg per capita
- Aquaculture's share in fish for human consumption rose from 26% in 2000 to 51% in 2020
- By 2030, global fish consumption is projected to reach 21.5 kg per capita, requiring 40% production increase
- Post-COVID recovery saw global fish consumption rebound 2.5% in 2021 to 178 million tonnes
- Fish consumption per capita declined 2% in 2020 due to COVID, but rebounded in 2021
- From 1990-2020, global fish consumption doubled from 67 to 179 million tonnes
- Plant-based alternatives captured 1.5% of fish consumption market by 2022
- Sustainable certification covered 20% of global fish consumption by 2023, up from 10% in 2015
- Climate change projected to reduce global fish catch by 3 million tonnes by 2050, impacting consumption
- Urbanization drove 25% increase in fish demand 2000-2020
- Bluefin tuna consumption fell 15% 2010-2020 due to sustainability efforts
- E-commerce fish sales grew 300% during COVID, boosting consumption 2020-2021
- By 2050, 80% of fish consumption from aquaculture projected
- Organic seafood consumption doubled to 0.5 million tonnes 2015-2022
Trends and Projections Interpretation
Humanity is increasingly hooked on fish, with our appetite outpacing even our own numbers as aquaculture quietly grows to feed half the world's plate, yet this aquatic feast is shadowed by the pressing need for sustainability and resilience against climate change and pandemic shocks.
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