The world’s top ten chocolate consumers by country

I know it’s not a competition, but if eating chocolate was an olympic event, I would definitely go into full time training for Rio next year. Although, given the tropical climate, we might be better off trying to get a spot in the winter games. Either way, we wouldn’t want a certain country (who shall remain nameless until the end of this article) to win a third gold medal, now would we? The figures in this league table don’t take into account the growing popularity of chocolate fountain hire in this country. Check back in 5 years, and we might just be the winners!

France: 9.3 lbs per person per year

Maybe it’s because chocolate was considered poisonous when first introduced into France that they’re is a lonely 10th on our list. I know that was some 400 years ago, but once an idea takes hold… Not to mention the French are known for their steadfastness. You may then be surprised to know that the Paris Faculty of Medicines later approved chocolate as a remedy for “women’s blues”. Shortly after, French Queen Anne (of Austria) declared it the Drink of France. Let’s just say they’ve got some catching up to do.

USA: 9.5 lbs per person per year

Despite hailing from the Americas, chocolate lacks the popularity you would expect it to enjoy on its native continent. Maybe it’s because they can’t resist pumping it so full of sugar that you can no longer taste the cocao. If you’ve ever had American chocolate, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Despite producing 80 million chocolate kisses each day, the Americans are sadly lacking behind their European competitors. 6/10 Could try harder.

Netherlands: 10.4 lbs per person per year

Aside from being sandwiched between two of the most famous chocolate producing countries in the world, the Netherlands is a surprise entry at number 8. The Dutch are remarkable for many things, but chocolate isn’t one of them – unless you count the festival of Sinterklass during which participants give one another giant chocolate letters. I’ll have a W please, Bob!

Australia: 10.8 lbs per person per year

Aside from hosting the world’s largest chocolate Easter egg, Australia has made almost no contribution to the world of chocolate. The only explanation we can think of for it being on this list is that collossal easter egg, which was 10 feet tall, and weighed 4,484 lbs. They probably had to eat it quickly before it melted in the sun…

Sweden: 11.9 lbs per person per year

Maybe it’s the cold, dark winters that have Swedes reaching for chocolate bars like they’re going out of fashion. Or maybe it’s just their incredibly sweet tooth. Did you know Sweden has a Cinnamon Bun Day, celebrated on 4th October? And on 25th March they eat creamy sponge cakes decorated with chocolate silhouettes of 15th Century King Gustav II Adolf. If you’re planning a holiday, these dates may come in handy!

Norway: 14.6 lbs per person per year

Boasting the most famous hot chocolate factory in the world, it’s no surprise that Norway is so high in the running here. The Norwegian chocolate factory Freia was the inspiration behind Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Legend also has it that chocolate from this very factory was one of the main sources of food taken by Roald Admundsen’s famous expedition to the South Pole in 1911.

UK & Ireland: 16.3 lbs per person per year

In joint third place, we are the bronze medallists in this chocolympics with our clover-leafed neighbours. With a chocolate industry worth almost £4 billion, it’s surprising that we’re not right at the top of this list. According to a survey by the Happy Egg Company, we Brits would choose a chocolate bar over a fancy foreign holiday! For a nation obsessed with chocolate, you should expect nothing else.

Germany: 17.4 lbs per person per year

Boasting the lowest rates of depression in Europe, Germany’s chocolate consumption may go some way to explaining why. When you eat as much as they do, it’s practically impossible to be depressed. Apparently up there with the Belgians and Swiss, the Germans make some of the finest chocolate in the world – and then keep it for themselves!

Switzerland: 19.8 lbs per person per year

Home to chocolate giants Nestle and Lindt, each citizen of Swtizerland is responsible for consuming a whopping 9kg of choc each year – that’s a lot of chocolate. Not only a renowned local delicacy, Swiss chocolate is also a major export industry, amounting to some 172,000 tonnes of the stuff in 2012 alone. That’s about equivalent to the amount of steel used to build the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. Thank God they save some for the rest of us, that’s all I can say.