Taxes on sweetened beverages in the Americas. Regional report 2025

Overweight and obesity represent one of the greatest public health challenges in the Region of the Americas, with a prevalence of 67.5% in adults in 2022. Latin America and the Caribbean lead the world in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, which plays a significant role in the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular, and other metabolic conditions, as well as in the increased risk of overweight and obesity. 

 

These trends place an increasing burden on health systems, reduce quality of life, and generate substantial economic costs for countries across the Region. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the implementation of evidence-based measures to reduce the consumption of sweetened beverages as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). These measures include taxes, particularly excise taxes, which are a cost-effective intervention for reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and encouraging healthier consumption patterns. Fiscal policies that sufficiently increase the price of these products can help shift consumer behavior and contribute to broader public health goals. 

 

This report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) shows how taxes on sweetened beverages are being implemented in the Region in 2024 and analyzes developments since 2019, when regional price and tax monitoring began. Evidence shows that taxes are an effective measure for reducing the consumption of sweetened beverages and promoting healthy diets. However, their application remains limited in the countries of the Region of the Americas, highlighting the need for continued efforts to strengthen and expand the use of fiscal policies to improve population health.