It was estimated that 5.5 percent of the global population between the ages of 15 and 64 years used an
in 2019. That represents an increase since 1990. In Europe, a significant share of people are considered to be
, which means they regularly use opioids, cocaine, or amphetamines, or inject drugs. According to the rate in individual countries, the drug use was highest in Czechia with 13.8 individuals per 1,000 recognized as a problem drug user, suffering from drug use disorders or drug dependence.
Type of drugs consumed
The number of
people in Europe who have used drugs varies by drug type. Marijuana ranks highest with an estimated 27 percent of individuals having used it in their lifetime and half of
regular users consuming it every day. The
prevalence of cocaine use is comparatively lower in Europe; The United Kingdom, Austria, and Spain recorded the highest prevalence at over 2.5 percent of users among their populations. While, in most European countries the
prevalence of amphetamine use is below one percent.
Drug-induced deaths and treatment
According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the highest share of
individuals who died from drugs in Europe were aged between 40 and 64 years old. The highest amount of
drug induced deaths in Europe in 2020 was in Norway at 85 deaths per million population, followed by Sweden and Ireland. The number of
individuals in substitution treatment for opioid addiction in Europe was reported to be over 525 thousand in 2020, with the majority of them entering treatment for
heroin addiction.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
