Global Cocaine Production Surges 34% to Record 3,708 Tons in 2023, UN Report Reveals

A recent report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlights a significant escalation in global drug trends for 2023, with cocaine production reaching unprecedented levels. According to the UNODC's World Drug Report 2025, an estimated 316 million people, representing 6 percent of the global population aged 15 to 64, used drugs during the year. This marks an increase of over 20 percent since 2013, outpacing global population growth.

The report details a sharp rise in illicit cocaine production, which jumped by nearly 34 percent from 2022 to a record 3,708 tons in 2023. This surge is primarily attributed to an increase in the area under illicit coca bush cultivation in Colombia, along with updated yield data from the region. Global cocaine seizures also hit a new high of 2,275 tons, a 68 percent rise over four years.

The number of cocaine users globally has also grown substantially, reaching 25 million in 2023, up from 17 million a decade earlier. North America, Western and Central Europe, and South America continue to be the largest markets for cocaine, driven by both user numbers and wastewater analysis data. UNODC chief researcher Angela Me noted a "vicious cycle" of increased use fueling production.

Beyond cocaine, the UNODC report indicates a broader expansion of the synthetic drug market, favored by lower operational costs and reduced detection risks. Seizures of amphetamine-type stimulants, including methamphetamine, reached record highs in 2023, accounting for nearly half of all global synthetic drug seizures. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, also saw significant increases.

The UNODC warns that a "new era of global instability has intensified challenges in addressing the world drug problem," empowering organized crime groups and pushing drug use to historically high levels. The report emphasizes the need for increased prevention, treatment, enforcement, and international cooperation to mitigate these growing threats.