Number of illicit drug users worldwide by drug 2012-2021

Published by
John Elflein
,
Aug 8, 2023
In 2021, there were approximately 20 million consumers of ecstasy worldwide. Cannabis remains the most used illicit drug worldwide. This statistic lists the estimated number of illicit drug users worldwide from 2012 to 2021, by type of drug.

Estimated number of illicit drug users worldwide from 2012 to 2021, by drug* (in millions)

Characteristic20122014201620182021
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
Showing entries 1 to 6 (6 entries in total)
Statistic: Estimated number of illicit drug users worldwide from 2012 to 2021, by drug* (in millions)

© Statista 2025
Download
Show detailed source information?
Register for free
Already a member?
Log in
Source

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

June 2023

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2012 to 2021

Age group

15-64 years

Supplementary notes

* All figures are highest estimates.
This statistic was assembled from several editions of the WDR.

** Includes opiate users.

Citation formats
Access all statistics starting from $2,388 USD yearly *

* For commercial use only

Basic Account

For single users
$0 USD
Always free
Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.
  • Free Statistics
Based on your interests

Starter Account

For single users
$199 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free Statistics
  • Premium Statistics

    • The statistic on this page is a Premium Statistic and is included in this account.

Professional Account

For teams of up to 5 people
$1,299 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free + Premium Statistics
  • Reports
  • Market Insights

1 All prices do not include sales tax. The account requires an annual contract and will renew after one year to the regular list price.

Compare accounts
Leading companies trust Statista:
paypal google adobe pg samsung telekom

Related reports: Available to download in PDF or PPTX format

All datain one format
All data
in one format
Global drug use
  • 34 page/s
  • English
  • pptx
  • Detailed references

Everything on "Global drug use" in one document: edited and divided into chapters, including detailed references.

Go to report
Further reports
Statista has been my savior on several occasions. The site is easy to maneuver and the data is in a format that can go right into a report or presentation.
Marlene Greenfield

Marlene Greenfield
Vice President, Hearst Magazines

Statistics on " Global drug use "

Other statistics that may interest you Global drug use

Users

5

Cannabis

3

Opioids

5

Other drugs

3

Drug injection and HIV

4

Deaths

5

Miscellaneous

5

Further related statistics

18

Discover Statista

Need help with using Statista for your research? Tutorials and first steps

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

Statistics

Topics

Drugs in FranceDrug use in the U.S.Drug use in EuropeAlcohol consumption in France
Do you have any questions about our business solutions?

We provide you with detailed information about our Professional Account.

Access all statistics starting from $2,388 USD yearly *

* For commercial use only

Basic Account

For single users
$0 USD
Always free
Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.
  • Free Statistics
Based on your interests

Starter Account

For single users
$199 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free Statistics
  • Premium Statistics

    • The statistic on this page is a Premium Statistic and is included in this account.

Professional Account

For teams of up to 5 people
$1,299 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free + Premium Statistics
  • Reports
  • Market Insights

1 All prices do not include sales tax. The account requires an annual contract and will renew after one year to the regular list price.

Compare accounts
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.