VIENNA, 9 March 2026
VIENNA, 9 March 2026 – The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) released today ‘Narcotic Drugs 2025’, its technical publication presenting the latest consolidated global data on narcotic drug production and use for medical and scientific purposes, and a detailed analysis of global trends in the licit manufacture, trade and consumption of narcotic drugs, as well as the supply of opiate raw materials. This year’s edition uses an updated methodology to shorten the report, streamline its coverage of various topics, and make it more accessible to both professional and general readers.
Ten years after the General Assembly’s special session on the world drug problem (UNGASS 2016), the Narcotic Drugs 2025 report shows that global disparities in access to opioid analgesics for pain management remain profound. Despite political commitments and national reforms in many countries, consumption levels in low‑income regions continue to fall far below medical needs. At the same time, the report highlights that several countries have successfully translated UNGASS commitments into practical national policies, demonstrating that access to controlled medicines can be expanded even in low‑resource settings.
The report notes that high-income regions accounted for nearly all global consumption of opioid analgesics in 2024, while countries in South Asia, Africa, and Central America and the Caribbean consumed less than 2% of the total amount available worldwide. “The persistence of the disparity… is of particular concern, especially considering the increasing burden of disease and palliative care needs,” the report highlights.
At the same time, the report confirms that global supply of opiate raw materials remains sufficient. Utilization of poppy straw and concentrate of poppy straw increased in 2024, and stocks of both morphine-rich and thebaine-rich raw materials remain adequate to meet global medical requirements. However, many countries continue to report difficulties procuring essential medicines such as morphine, due to regulatory barriers, insufficient estimates, and limited training of health professionals.
The report also highlights significant shifts in the manufacture of key opioid medicines. Global morphine manufacture has decreased sharply, from 420 tons in 2015 to 144 tons in 2024, creating challenges for accessibility and affordability. Manufacture of oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl also fluctuated, reflecting changes in prescribing practices and regulatory measures.
A major concern identified in the report is the rapid emergence of nitazene-type synthetic opioids, substances significantly more potent than fentanyl. In this regard, INCB invites strengthened forensic capacity, improved early warning systems and timely reporting to INCB, WHO and UNODC.
The report further documents trends in the licit cultivation and production of cannabis, which has expanded significantly since 2000 due to increasing medical and scientific use. In 2024, global cannabis production decreased to 549.2 tons. At the same time, the decline may at least partly reflect new reporting requirements, whereby countries are required to distinguish more precisely between cannabis, cannabis extracts, and cannabis-related preparations. As a result, some quantities previously reported cumulatively under “cannabis” are now classified differently, and year-to-year comparisons should be interpreted with caution, while recognizing that the reporting changes are contributing to improved data quality and more accurate monitoring of global trends.
The report also reviews trends in the licit cultivation of coca leaf and the manufacture of cocaine for medical and scientific purposes. Licit coca leaf production remains limited and stable under strict national and international controls, and licit cocaine manufacture continues to serve only regulated medical and scientific needs. INCB underscores the importance of monitoring licit production to prevent diversion, given ongoing challenges related to illicit cocaine manufacture and trafficking.
Based on the reporting by countries, INCB encourages Governments to review national estimates and procurement systems, strengthen training for health professionals and address regulatory barriers that impede access to controlled medicines for legitimate medical and scientific purposes.
The ‘Narcotic Drugs 2025’ report presents data and analysis on the global production and use of narcotic drugs, which include opium, morphine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and cannabis among more than 140 internationally controlled substances, with the list being updated regularly by the INCB. The report is based on official government data and projections and INCB’s analysis of trends and developments in cultivation, production and manufacture, and use of controlled narcotic drugs.
The ‘Narcotic Drugs’ report is published by INCB each year, and it accompanies the INCB’s annual reports. ‘Narcotic Drugs’ covers a three-year period and is based on the actual data and estimates provided by countries and calculated by INCB. INCB has published such reports since 1968. The report is available at the following link:
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the thirteen members of the Board are elected in a personal capacity by Economic and Social Council for terms of five years.
