In 2020, cigarette smoking among men showed striking global variation, with some countries reporting alarmingly high rates. Indonesia led with the highest prevalence, where 71.4% of men aged 15 and older smoked any tobacco product. Myanmar followed closely at 68.5%, while Bangladesh and China reported 52.2% and 49.4%, respectively.
Asian countries notably dominate the higher end of the male smoking spectrum, reflecting deep-rooted cultural and social norms around tobacco. Other countries with high male smoking rates include Egypt (48.1%), Malaysia (43.8%), Turkey (42.1%), and Sri Lanka (41.4%). In Eastern Europe and Russia, male smoking rates hover around 40%, with Russia at 40.8%, Serbia at 40.5%, and Ukraine at 40%.
Some countries show significantly lower rates, such as Ethiopia (8.8%) and Nigeria (6.9%) in Africa. Western nations like the United States have a moderate male smoking rate at 28.4%, while European countries vary, with Sweden at 29.8% and the United Kingdom at 17.3%.
Globally, tobacco smoking remains a leading cause of preventable illness and death, with over one billion smokers worldwide. Despite some declines due to tobacco control policies, challenges persist especially in countries with the highest prevalence, highlighting the urgent need for sustained public health interventions.
This data provides a critical perspective on the global tobacco epidemic’s landscape, emphasizing the necessity of targeted efforts to reduce smoking in high-prevalence countries for improved population health outcomes.
This summary is based on WHO data and latest 2025 updates on male smoking rates worldwide.
