Women Tobacco Use by Age Group 2020

Women tobacco use by age group; compare age-specific smoking and tobacco habits among females globally.

167 data points••Global Coverage•Share of women who smoke or use other tobacco | Our World in Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Nauru flag
Nauru
44.4 %
2
Serbia flag
Serbia
39.2 %
3
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
37.7 %
4
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
36 %
5
Andorra flag
Andorra
34.9 %
6
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
34.5 %
7
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
34.2 %
8
Croatia flag
Croatia
32.7 %
9
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
31.5 %
10
France flag
France
30.9 %
11
Hungary flag
Hungary
29.1 %
12
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
28.5 %
13
Greece flag
Greece
28.3 %
14
Chile flag
Chile
26.6 %
15
Spain flag
Spain
26.5 %
16
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
26.4 %
17
Austria flag
Austria
26.3 %
18
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
25.2 %
19
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
25 %
20
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
24.9 %
21
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
23.4 %
22
Malta flag
Malta
23.3 %
23
Latvia flag
Latvia
22.6 %
24
Estonia flag
Estonia
22.5 %
25
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
22.5 %
26
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
21.8 %
27
Romania flag
Romania
21.8 %
28
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
21.3 %
29
Belgium flag
Belgium
21.1 %
30
Germany flag
Germany
21.1 %
31
Portugal flag
Portugal
20.9 %
32
Argentina flag
Argentina
20.8 %
33
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
20.7 %
34
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
20.6 %
35
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
20.3 %
36
Poland flag
Poland
20.2 %
37
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
20.1 %
38
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
19.8 %
39
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
19.2 %
40
Finland flag
Finland
19.2 %
41
Italy flag
Italy
19.2 %
42
Turkey flag
Turkey
19.1 %
43
Russia flag
Russia
19 %
44
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
18.3 %
45
Ireland flag
Ireland
17.7 %
46
Sweden flag
Sweden
17.6 %
47
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
17.4 %
48
Denmark flag
Denmark
17.2 %
49
Tonga flag
Tonga
15.7 %
50
Israel flag
Israel
15 %
51
Samoa flag
Samoa
14.8 %
52
Norway flag
Norway
14.6 %
53
Belarus flag
Belarus
14.1 %
54
Nepal flag
Nepal
14 %
55
United States flag
United States
13.5 %
56
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
13.4 %
57
Fiji flag
Fiji
12.9 %
58
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
12.8 %
59
Jordan flag
Jordan
12.7 %
60
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
12.3 %
61
India flag
India
12.2 %
62
Palau flag
Palau
11.6 %
63
Australia flag
Australia
11.4 %
64
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
11.1 %
65
Iceland flag
Iceland
11 %
66
Maldives flag
Maldives
11 %
67
Cuba flag
Cuba
10.6 %
68
Canada flag
Canada
10.5 %
69
Laos flag
Laos
10.4 %
70
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
10.3 %
71
Japan flag
Japan
9.6 %
72
Brazil flag
Brazil
9.5 %
73
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
9.5 %
74
South Africa flag
South Africa
8.8 %
75
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
8.6 %
76
Botswana flag
Botswana
8.4 %
77
Mexico flag
Mexico
8.2 %
78
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
8 %
79
Georgia flag
Georgia
7.8 %
80
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
7.5 %
81
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
7.5 %
82
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
7.4 %
83
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
7.3 %
84
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
7.2 %
85
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
7.2 %
86
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
6.8 %
87
Albania flag
Albania
6.6 %
88
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
6.6 %
89
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
6.5 %
90
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
6 %
91
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
5.9 %
92
Burundi flag
Burundi
5.9 %
93
South Korea flag
South Korea
5.9 %
94
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
5.7 %
95
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
5.5 %
96
Singapore flag
Singapore
5.5 %
97
Philippines flag
Philippines
5.4 %
98
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
4.9 %
99
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
4.9 %
100
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
4.7 %
101
Colombia flag
Colombia
4.6 %
102
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
3.8 %
103
Uganda flag
Uganda
3.8 %
104
Zambia flag
Zambia
3.8 %
105
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
3.6 %
106
Comoros flag
Comoros
3.6 %
107
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
3.6 %
108
Peru flag
Peru
3.6 %
109
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
3.6 %
110
Gabon flag
Gabon
3.5 %
111
Malawi flag
Malawi
3.4 %
112
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
3.4 %
113
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
3.3 %
114
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
3.3 %
115
Qatar flag
Qatar
3.3 %
116
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
3.1 %
117
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
3 %
118
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
2.9 %
119
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
2.9 %
120
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
2.9 %
121
Haiti flag
Haiti
2.8 %
122
Kenya flag
Kenya
2.8 %
123
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
2.8 %
124
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
2.7 %
125
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
2.7 %
126
Iraq flag
Iraq
2.6 %
127
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
2.6 %
128
Congo flag
Congo
2.5 %
129
Guyana flag
Guyana
2.5 %
130
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
2.4 %
131
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
2.4 %
132
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
2.4 %
133
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
2.2 %
134
Belize flag
Belize
2.1 %
135
Liberia flag
Liberia
2.1 %
136
Panama flag
Panama
2.1 %
137
Benin flag
Benin
2 %
138
Armenia flag
Armenia
1.9 %
139
Chad flag
Chad
1.9 %
140
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
1.9 %
141
Honduras flag
Honduras
1.8 %
142
Iran flag
Iran
1.8 %
143
China flag
China
1.7 %
144
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
1.6 %
145
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
1.5 %
146
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
1.5 %
147
Thailand flag
Thailand
1.5 %
148
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
1.5 %
149
Morocco flag
Morocco
1.3 %
150
Niger flag
Niger
1.3 %
151
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
1.3 %
152
Togo flag
Togo
1.2 %
153
Mali flag
Mali
1.1 %
154
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
1.1 %
155
Gambia flag
Gambia
1 %
156
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
0.9 %
157
Senegal flag
Senegal
0.8 %
158
Algeria flag
Algeria
0.7 %
159
Ghana flag
Ghana
0.7 %
160
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
0.7 %
161
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
0.6 %
162
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
0.5 %
163
Egypt flag
Egypt
0.4 %
164
Oman flag
Oman
0.4 %
165
Libya flag
Libya
0.2 %
166
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
0.1 %
167
North Korea flag
North Korea
0 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Nauru flagNauru
  2. #2Serbia flagSerbia
  3. #3Lebanon flagLebanon
  4. #4Bulgaria flagBulgaria
  5. #5Andorra flagAndorra
  6. #6North Macedonia flagNorth Macedonia
  7. #7Montenegro flagMontenegro
  8. #8Croatia flagCroatia
  9. #9Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina
  10. #10France flagFrance

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #167North Korea flagNorth Korea
  2. #166Azerbaijan flagAzerbaijan
  3. #165Libya flagLibya
  4. #164Oman flagOman
  5. #163Egypt flagEgypt
  6. #162Turkmenistan flagTurkmenistan
  7. #161Nigeria flagNigeria
  8. #160Guinea-Bissau flagGuinea-Bissau
  9. #159Ghana flagGhana
  10. #158Algeria flagAlgeria

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2020, Nauru led the world in Women Tobacco Use by Age Group with a maximum recorded value of 44.40%, while the global range spanned from 0.00% to 44.40% across 167 countries. The global average for women tobacco use stood at 10.90%, providing a broad perspective on the prevalence of tobacco consumption among women worldwide.

Economic Influence on Tobacco Use

The economic landscape of a country significantly influences women tobacco use. In high-income countries like France and Andorra, where the rates are 30.9% and 34.9% respectively, tobacco consumption may be linked to lifestyle choices and cultural norms. Conversely, in lower-income countries such as Nigeria and Ghana, with usage rates of only 0.6% and 0.7%, economic constraints and accessibility issues may limit tobacco use among women.

Geographic and Cultural Patterns

Geographical regions exhibit distinct patterns in women tobacco use. In the Balkans, countries like Serbia and Bulgaria show high usage rates of 39.2% and 36% respectively, which may be attributed to cultural acceptance and historical consumption patterns. In contrast, regions such as North Africa, including Libya and Algeria, with rates as low as 0.2% and 0.7%, reflect cultural and religious norms that discourage tobacco use among women.

Impact of Public Health Policies

Public health policies and tobacco control measures play a crucial role in shaping tobacco use statistics. In countries like Australia and Canada (not explicitly listed but often known for stringent policies), comprehensive tobacco control strategies have historically led to reduced consumption rates. Meanwhile, countries with less stringent regulations, such as Lebanon and Montenegro, with rates of 37.7% and 34.2%, may exhibit higher tobacco use due to limited policy enforcement.

Demographic Trends in Tobacco Use

Demographics, including age and urbanization, influence tobacco use among women. Urban areas often see higher tobacco use due to lifestyle choices and greater accessibility. For instance, in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with usage rates of 32.7% and 31.5%, urban living may contribute to these figures. In contrast, rural areas in countries like Oman and Turkmenistan, with rates of 0.4% and 0.5%, may see lower usage due to cultural factors and limited access.

Overall, the data on women tobacco use by age group in 2020 highlights significant variations influenced by economic status, geographic location, cultural norms, public health policies, and demographic factors. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing targeted interventions to reduce tobacco use among women globally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Women Tobacco Use by Age Group in 2020

Which country had the highest percentage of women tobacco use in 2020?

Nauru had the highest percentage of women tobacco use in 2020, with 44.4%.

Which country had the lowest percentage of women tobacco use in 2020?

North Korea had the lowest percentage of women tobacco use in 2020, with 0%.

What was the average percentage of women tobacco use across all countries in 2020?

The average percentage of women tobacco use across all countries in 2020 was 10.9%.

What was the median percentage of women tobacco use in 2020?

The median percentage of women tobacco use in 2020 was 7.2%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for women tobacco use in 2020?

The top 3 countries for women tobacco use in 2020 were Nauru with 44.4%, Serbia with 39.2%, and Lebanon with 37.7%.

Which countries were in the bottom 3 for women tobacco use in 2020?

The bottom 3 countries for women tobacco use in 2020 were North Korea with 0%, Azerbaijan with 0.1%, and Libya with 0.2%.

Insights by country

1

Philippines

The Philippines ranked #97 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group in 2020, with a prevalence of 5.4%. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting a trend seen in several Southeast Asian nations. Contributing factors include ongoing public health campaigns and legislation aimed at reducing smoking rates, as well as cultural shifts towards healthier lifestyles among women.

2

Luxembourg

In 2020, Luxembourg ranked #21 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a rate of 23.4 %. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a significant prevalence of tobacco use among women in the country. Contributing factors include Luxembourg's high standard of living, which may correlate with lifestyle choices, as well as relatively lenient tobacco control policies compared to its neighboring countries.

3

Morocco

In 2020, Morocco ranked #149 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a value of 1.3 %. This figure is notably lower than the global average, which indicates a significant disparity in tobacco consumption among women worldwide.

The low prevalence of tobacco use among Moroccan women can be attributed to cultural norms and social attitudes that discourage smoking among females. Additionally, public health campaigns and government policies aimed at reducing tobacco use have likely contributed to this relatively low statistic.

4

Marshall Islands

In 2020, the Marshall Islands ranked #75 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group with a rate of 8.6 %. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a relatively lower prevalence of tobacco use among women in the region. Contributing factors include limited access to tobacco products due to geographic isolation and ongoing public health campaigns aimed at reducing smoking rates.

5

Panama

In 2020, Panama ranked #136 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a value of 2.1 %. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a relatively lower prevalence of tobacco use among women in the country. Contributing factors include Panama's public health initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates and a growing awareness of health risks associated with tobacco use.

6

New Zealand

In 2020, New Zealand ranked #70 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a prevalence of 10.3%. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a relatively successful public health effort in tobacco control compared to many other countries. Contributing factors include comprehensive tobacco control policies, public awareness campaigns, and a strong focus on reducing smoking rates among women, particularly in younger demographics.

7

Lithuania

Lithuania ranks #26 globally in Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a prevalence of 21.8% in 2020. This statistic is notably higher than the global average, indicating a significant public health concern. Contributing factors include Lithuania's historical smoking culture and limited anti-smoking policies, which have not effectively curbed tobacco use among women. Additionally, socioeconomic factors and lifestyle choices continue to influence smoking rates in the country.

8

Guinea-Bissau

In 2020, Guinea-Bissau ranked #160 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a value of 0.7%. This figure is significantly lower than many countries in the region, reflecting a broader trend of low tobacco use among women in West Africa. Contributing factors include limited access to tobacco products, ongoing public health campaigns, and cultural attitudes that discourage smoking among women.

9

Maldives

In 2020, Maldives ranked #66 globally for Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a value of 11%. This percentage is notably lower than the global average, indicating a relatively moderate prevalence of tobacco use among women in the country. Contributing factors include ongoing public health campaigns aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and a growing awareness of its health impacts among the population.

10

Mauritania

Mauritania ranks #119 globally in Women Tobacco Use by Age Group, with a value of 2.9 % in 2020. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting a cultural context that discourages tobacco use among women. Factors contributing to this statistic include a combination of traditional norms and limited access to tobacco products in rural areas, along with ongoing public health initiatives aimed at reducing smoking prevalence.

Data Source

Share of women who smoke or use other tobacco | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is a research organization that compiles and presents global data on various social, economic, and environmental issues. The dataset on the share of women who smoke or use other tobacco provides country-level statistics on tobacco usage among women, facilitating comparisons and analysis of trends over time.

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Women Tobacco Use by Age Group data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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