CHICAGO — Snacking remains a linchpin of eating habits around the globe, with almost all adults eating one snack daily and nearly two-thirds consuming two snacks per day, according to Mondelez International’s 2024 State of Snacking study.

Of 3,785 adults in 13 countries surveyed by The Harris Poll for Mondelez, 91% said they eat at least one snack each day, with 63% munching at least two snacks and 31% consuming at least three snacks daily.

The poll also revealed people’s strong urge to snack, as 66% of respondents agreed that “I couldn’t live without snacks.” Indeed, consumers said that on average they “eat, drink or chew something” 2.22 times per day as a snack or meal replacement, nearly as much as the 2.28 times daily as a main meal.

For more than half of survey respondents, snacks prove to be more enjoyable than meals. Fifty-eight percent said they look forward to snacks more than meals each day, and 62% prefer to eat many small meals throughout the day instead of a few large ones. Overall, 53% said they snack more today versus a year ago.

Younger consumers tend to be bigger fans of snacking. Among Gen Z/millennial respondents, 65% snack more today than a year ago (versus 36% of Gen X/boomers), 71% favor eating more small meals throughout the day (versus 50% of Gen X/boomers) and 67% look forward to snacks more than meals (versus 46% of Gen X/boomers).

By time of day, snacking among those polled has stayed consistent in the morning. Yet the share of consumers saying they snack in the afternoon rose to 70%, up five percentage points from last year, while 52% said they snack in the evening, up four points.

Most respondents seek an energy boost, as 76% agreed that “snacking gives me a much-needed pick-me-up throughout my day.” That percentage was more pronounced in North America (81%) and Asia-Pacific (82%).

Source: Mondelez International and The Harris Poll