Does 70% of the world not use toilet paper?

We’re proud of our toilet paper here at Naked Paper. We make products that are soft, reliable, and honestly priced, with transparency when it comes to our ingredients and our processes. We’re working to reduce the environmental footprint of every roll.

Of course, the smallest footprint is the one that isn’t there at all. And while the idea of a toilet paper free toilet is a horror scenario for many of us, it’s common enough in much of the world.

But is it really the case that 70% of the world doesn’t use toilet paper? And what should you do if you’re a fan of the soft stuff but there’s none nearby?

How much toilet paper do people use on average?

We’ll start close to home. In the UK, the average person gets through around 127 rolls of toilet paper a year. That’s roughly one roll every three days. It adds up quickly; not just in empty cardboard tubes, but in terms of trees, energy, and packaging.

We’re not the only ones churning through the tubes, we’re not even at the top of the list. The US and Germany go through even more toilet paper per person than we do, with 141 and 134 rolls per year respectively. 

It’s a lot of sheets, and while it might seem like a harmless convenience it's worth considering the environmental impact. Standard toilet rolls are usually bleached, wrapped in extra paper or plastic, and produced using fossil fuels. 

It’s a lot of fuss and impact for something that’s literally flushed away.

We do things differently at Naked Paper. No bleach. No plastic. No fossil fuels in manufacturing. Soft toilet paper, fairly priced, made sustainably. 

But what if we told you most of the world isn’t using toilet paper at all?

Where do people not use toilet paper?

Around 70% of the world doesn’t rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue. In many parts of Asia, the Middle East, South America and Southern Europe, bidets, handheld sprayers, and even simple jugs of water are common features of the basic bathroom setup. It’s clean, it’s effective, and the environmental footprint is minimal.

It’s worth noting, though, that even in countries where water is used as standard, people often still use a small amount of toilet paper to dry off. Japan provides a great example; Japanese bidet enthusiasts can enjoy high-tech facilities that include heated seats, directional sprays, and even play music. But despite the national love of bidets, Japan still charts on the “most toilet paper per person” list, although the amount of rolls they use is significantly lower than the UK.

So when we say that the people in a particular country “don’t use toilet paper,” we often mean they don’t use much, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll find it if you visit the average loo. 

What do you do if you find yourself caught short and the local facilities don’t include tissue?

What to do in countries without toilet paper

Planning a trip to a country where toilet paper isn’t the norm? Don’t panic. There’s no need to pack 24 rolls in your suitcase.

As with most things, the best advice is: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

In many places where water is the standard method - Morocco, for example - tourist resorts and hotels will still generally favour Western-style toilets. If your hotel caters to people from countries that use toilet paper, you’ll generally find it in stock, and most of the time the plumbing will be set up so that you can flush it too.  

But if you’re heading off the beaten track, it’s sensible to be prepared. We’d recommend popping a roll in your bag, just in case. And don’t flush it unless you’re sure the plumbing can handle it. In some areas, toilet paper goes in the bin. If you’re not sure, you can always check with your host.

And if you’re going to bring a roll along, why not make it a soft roll of Naked Paper? It’s approximately 127 grams of bleach-free bamboo (or recycled) tissue, and it’s got 320 sheets so it’ll should be plenty to see you through your travels. 

We can’t promise it’ll impress customs officers, but it might earn you a nod of approval from the planet.

Conclusion

So does 70% of the world not use toilet paper? Not really, but it’s fair to say that most of the world doesn’t use it in quite the same way. For most people water takes centre stage, with toilet paper playing a supporting role.

It’s an economy of use we can get behind. We make toilet paper that works for your plumbing, your wallet, and our planet. We don’t mind how you use it - scrunch or fold, bin or flush - but we do believe in using only what’s needed.

Want to try our simple, low-impact products?