According to the most recent data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world consumed an average of 20.5 kilograms (45.2 pounds) of fish and seafood per person in 2018. This is up from 18.3 kilograms (40.3 pounds) per person in 2010.
The top 10 fish-consuming countries in 2018 were:
1. Iceland (90.0 kg per person)
2. Maldives (85.8 kg per person)
3. Faroe Islands (84.9 kg per person)
4. Kiribati (83.8 kg per person)
5. Japan (76.9 kg per person)
6. Portugal (76.7 kg per person)
7. Spain (74.6 kg per person)
8. Norway (74.2 kg per person)
9. France (73.8 kg per person)
10. Denmark (73.6 kg per person)
These countries are all located in coastal regions and have a strong fishing tradition.
In contrast, the bottom 10 fish-consuming countries in 2018 were:
1. Ethiopia (0.5 kg per person)
2. Rwanda (0.6 kg per person)
3. Burundi (0.7 kg per person)
4. Madagascar (0.8 kg per person)
5. Uganda (0.9 kg per person)
6. Central African Republic (1.0 kg per person)
7. Chad (1.1 kg per person)
8. Niger (1.1 kg per person)
9. Mali (1.2 kg per person)
10. Burkina Faso (1.2 kg per person)
These countries are all located in landlocked regions and have limited access to fish.
The global seafood consumption footprint is a measure of the amount of seafood that is consumed by people around the world. It takes into account the amount of fish that is caught, as well as the amount that is imported and exported. The global seafood consumption footprint has been increasing steadily in recent years, and it is expected to continue to grow in the future.
This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including population growth, rising incomes, and increasing urbanization. As the world's population continues to grow, so too will the demand for fish and seafood. In addition, as people move to urban areas, they are more likely to have access to fish and seafood, which is often more available in cities than in rural areas.
The increasing demand for fish and seafood is putting a strain on the world's fisheries. Many fish stocks are now overfished, and this is leading to declines in fish populations. In order to ensure that we have enough fish for future generations, it is important to reduce our consumption of fish and to find sustainable ways to fish.