People who used drugs in the past year, worldwide (aged 15–64)

Definition

UNODC estimate of the number of people aged 15–64 worldwide who used a drug (excluding alcohol and tobacco) at least once in the past 12 months (millions).

How to read this indicator

UNODC World Drug Report, annual edition. A model estimate pooling national surveys and indirect estimates — the level shifts between editions as new data arrive (e.g. the India and Nigeria surveys in WDR 2019). UNODC: "any comparison of estimates over time should be undertaken with caution, given the wide uncertainty intervals" (WDR 2019 Booklet 2). Period = reference year (published two years later, in June).

Trend

⚠️ The survey population changed between rounds, so year-to-year comparison requires caution. Movement in the line may not reflect real change.

• 2017 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.11 · WDR 2019 Booklet 2 printed p.9 "In 2017, an estimated 271 million people worldwide aged 15-64 had used drugs at least once in the previous year (range: 201 million to 341 million)"
• 2018 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.12 · WDR 2020 Booklet 2 printed p.10 "In 2018, an estimated 269 million people worldwide had used drugs at least once in the previous year (range: 166 million to 373 million)"
• 2019 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.19 · WDR 2021 Booklet 2 printed p.19 "In 2019, an estimated 275 million people worldwide aged 15-64 … (range: 175 million to 374 million)"
• 2020 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.15 · WDR 2022 Booklet 2 printed p.15 "In 2020, an estimated 284a million people worldwide aged 15-64 … had used a drug within the last 12 months" footnote "a 185-384 million"
• 2021 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.12 · WDR 2023 Executive Summary printed p.12 "The estimated number of users grew from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021" · no range given
• 2022 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.44 · WDR 2024 Key findings "the global estimate of people who used a drug in the past year at 292 million (or 5.6 per cent of the population aged 15 to 64) in 2022" · no range given
• 2023 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.48 · WDR 2025 Key findings "In 2023, the global number of people who used a drug in the past year was estimated at 316 million people" · no range given
• 2024 World · aged 15–64 · past-year use · p.70 · WDR 2026 Highlights printed p.70 "In 2024, 331 million people were estimated to have used a drug in the past year, or 6.2 per cent of the global population aged between 15 and 64"

All observations