Countries which waste the most amount of food

Food waste is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Every year, billions of tons of food are produced but never eaten. This comes at a staggering cost, not just in money, but also in the resources that go into producing it.

Crops require water, land, and energy; when they are wasted, so too are those precious resources. Worse still, discarded food often ends up in landfills, where it releases methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world throws away more than $1 trillion worth of food annually, while nearly 783 million people suffer from hunger. Food waste is responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes about 30% of farmland just to grow food that never gets eaten. On a household level, each person worldwide wastes an average of 132 kilograms of food per year, much of it preventable.

To understand the scale of the issue, here are the countries that waste the most food, based on both total volume and per capita figures in 2024.

China tops the list, with more than 108 million tons of food wasted annually. As the most populous country in the world, its sheer numbers naturally contribute to this massive figure. On a per-person basis, however, waste is lower than some others—about 76 kg per year. Rapid urbanization and changing consumption habits have added pressure to an already complex food system.

India follows closely with over 78 million tons of food wasted each year. Again, population size is a major driver. Each Indian wastes about 54 kg of food annually, often due to inefficient storage, gaps in transportation, and food lost between farms and markets.

Pakistan records nearly 31 million tons of food waste annually. What makes it stand out, however, is its per capita figure—about 122 kg per year, one of the highest in the world. A mix of household-level waste, poor supply chains, and lack of preservation technology contributes heavily to this problem.

Nigeria wastes about 24.8 million tons of food every year, which amounts to around 106 kg per person. Much of this waste is not from consumers but from the system itself. Limited cold storage, poor transportation, and inadequate market access cause crops to spoil before they even reach households.

The US wastes over 24 million tons of food annually, or about 71 kg per person. Unlike other countries, where food spoils before reaching consumers, most waste in America happens in kitchens, restaurants, and supermarkets. Over-purchasing, large portion sizes, and strict aesthetic standards for produce all play a role.

Brazil discards more than 20 million tons of food per year, with a per capita figure of 95 kg. The majority of losses occur in the early stages—harvesting, storage, and transport. Infrastructure gaps and handling inefficiencies lead to large amounts of food never making it to shelves.

Egypt generates over 18 million tons of food waste annually. Per capita, this comes to about 155 kg, one of the highest in the world. The bulk of the problem lies in consumer behavior, along with high losses in urban food distribution.

Indonesia wastes close to 15 million tons of food every year. Per person, that equals around 52 kg. Food loss is driven by outdated supply chains, limited cold storage, and consumer practices like overbuying or mishandling perishable goods.

Bangladesh wastes just over 4 million tons annually. While that may seem small compared to larger nations, the per capita figure of 82 kg is significant. Most waste comes from traditional farming practices, lack of refrigeration, and spoilage during transport to crowded urban markets.

Mexico discards about 13.4 million tons of food each year, or 102 kg per person. Losses come from inefficient distribution networks and supply chains, combined with consumer practices like discarding food that remains edible but does not meet appearance standards.

Disclaimer: The figures presented are based on the latest available estimates from international organizations and national reports. Actual levels of food waste may vary by source, measurement methods, and reporting standards. This article is intended for general informational purposes and should not replace official data.