How Much Soda Do Mexicans Drink? Stats and Cultural Factors Explained

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

The state of Chiapas, Mexico, is infamous for residents consuming over 800 liters of soda per person annually, more than five times the national average. This startling figure underscores a national trend where high soda consumption is a significant public health and cultural issue, leading many to ask: How much soda do Mexicans drink?

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at Mexico's high soda consumption, examining historical statistics, health consequences, contributing factors like poor water access and cultural embedding, and recent governmental interventions.

Key Points

Consumption is high but decreasing: Mexico is now the fourth highest soda consumer globally, down from its former top ranking, following the 2014 sugar tax.
Regional extremes exist: The state of Chiapas has extremely high consumption rates, with some areas drinking over 800 liters per person annually, driven by poor water infrastructure and cultural traditions.
Water access is a major factor: Unreliable access to clean, safe drinking water in many rural areas pushes residents toward cheap, readily available bottled soda as a safer alternative.
Soda is culturally embedded: In many Mexican communities, soda is not just a beverage but an integral part of social gatherings and traditional rituals, as seen in parts of Chiapas.
Health impacts are significant: High sugar intake from soda is linked to soaring rates of obesity and diabetes, which has become a leading cause of death in Mexico.
The government is intervening: Recent public health policies include a sugary drink tax, front-of-package warning labels, and bans on sales to minors in certain regions.

Mexico's Shifting Ranking in Global Soda Consumption

For many years, Mexico held the unenviable position of having the highest per capita consumption of sugary beverages in the world. The reasons for this were multifaceted, but a combination of effective marketing, low prices, and issues with the quality and availability of public drinking water played a major role. However, the landscape of Mexican soda consumption has been changing, in part due to deliberate public health policies. Following the implementation of a national sugary drink tax in 2014, consumption trends began to shift, moving Mexico from its top spot in global rankings. While Mexico is no longer the undisputed number one, its consumption remains significantly high compared to the global average, with recent figures from the World Population Review putting Mexico in a high ranking with approximately 137 liters per person per year, placing it among the top countries for soft drink intake. This national average, however, masks severe regional disparities, with certain areas experiencing much higher levels of consumption than others.

The Extreme Case of Chiapas: Water Scarcity and Rituals

The starkest example of regional disparity can be found in the southern state of Chiapas. In this state, residents have been recorded drinking an average of over 800 liters of soda per person annually—more than five times the national rate. This phenomenon is driven by a unique set of circumstances, including dire water infrastructure. In many remote communities, clean, reliable tap water is a luxury, while bottled soda is cheaper, more available, and perceived as safer to drink. A major Coca-Cola plant operates in the region, using a massive amount of water daily while communities struggle for access. Beyond basic hydration, soda has become culturally integrated. In the town of San Juan Chamula, Coca-Cola is used in indigenous religious ceremonies and rituals, believed by some to possess healing or purifying properties. The burping caused by the carbonation is thought to expel evil spirits, further cementing its role in traditional customs.

Factors Driving Mexico's Soft Drink Dependence

Poor Water Infrastructure: Lack of access to clean, affordable drinking water pushes many to rely on bottled beverages. While efforts are being made to improve water access, progress is slow in many rural or impoverished areas.
Cultural Integration: Soda is an integral part of family gatherings, parties, and daily life, seen as a staple beverage rather than an occasional treat.
Taste Preference for Cane Sugar: Mexican Coca-Cola's recipe, which uses real cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, is often favored by consumers for its taste.
Extensive Marketing: Coca-Cola, in particular, has had decades of pervasive and effective marketing, with former company executive Vicente Fox even becoming president of Mexico.
Economic Accessibility: For many, the cost of a large bottle of soda is very low relative to the price of purified bottled water, making it a budget-friendly option.

The Grave Health Consequences and Policy Responses

The legacy of such high soda consumption is a serious public health crisis. The massive intake of sugar has fueled a significant rise in obesity and diabetes rates. Diabetes has become a leading cause of death in Mexico, and obesity rates, particularly among children, have soared. The state of Chiapas, with its exceptionally high consumption, also suffers from low rates of diabetes detection and control. The government has responded with a series of policies aimed at reversing this trend. The 2014 tax on sugary drinks led to an initial decrease in purchases, with a more recent 2025 increase announced to further combat the issue. In 2020, Mexico also began mandating front-of-package warning labels on products high in sugar, sodium, or saturated fat. Some states, like Oaxaca, have taken even stronger steps by banning the sale of sugary drinks and junk food to minors. The effects of these interventions are being monitored, but they represent a concerted effort to address the long-standing issue.

Comparison of Per Capita Soft Drink Consumption


Country	Annual Consumption (Liters)	Data Year	Consumption Status
Hungary	310	2019	Highest Ranking
Belgium	272	2019	Second Highest Ranking
United States	154	2017	Significantly High
Mexico (current)	137	2021	High, Post-Tax
Global Average	25	2019	Far Lower
Chiapas, Mexico	>800	2019	Extreme Regional High

Conclusion

While Mexico's national average for soda consumption has been affected by public health initiatives like the sugary drink tax and new labeling requirements, the country remains a significant consumer globally. The factors driving this trend—including unreliable access to clean water in impoverished regions like Chiapas, ingrained cultural practices, and market dynamics—are complex and deeply rooted. The health impacts, particularly the rise of obesity and diabetes, continue to pose a severe challenge to the nation's public health system. The ongoing government interventions and the public health dialogue surrounding the issue demonstrate a national recognition of the problem, but significant systemic issues, especially water inequality, must be addressed to truly shift the tide of how much soda do Mexicans drink. For more insight into the health impacts, an important study on the link between soft drinks and type 2 diabetes in Mexican adults is available(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33218344/).

Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico has historically been one of the world's largest consumers of soda due to factors such as aggressive marketing, low prices relative to bottled water, and cultural integration of the beverage into daily life and celebrations.

As of recent reports (2021), Mexico's per capita soda consumption is around 137 liters per year, ranking it high globally, though specific regions like Chiapas have much higher rates.

Yes, in many parts of Mexico, particularly in poorer regions like Chiapas, access to safe, clean drinking water is limited. This makes inexpensive bottled soda a more accessible and often perceived as safer alternative for hydration.

The Mexican government has implemented several policies, including a tax on sugary drinks (which has increased over time), mandatory front-of-package warning labels, and campaigns targeting sugary drinks. Some states have also banned sales to minors.

High soda consumption is a major contributor to Mexico's public health crisis, driving high rates of obesity and diabetes. Diabetes has become a leading cause of death, causing tens of thousands of premature deaths annually.

In addition to poor water infrastructure, soda is deeply embedded in the local culture and even used in indigenous religious rituals in Chiapas, contributing to exceptionally high consumption rates.

Initial studies following the 2014 tax showed a reduction in sugary beverage purchases and consumption, particularly among low-income households. The tax has since been adjusted to a higher rate to further discourage consumption.