Mason Delacroix
Germany has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption per capita in the world, and the country has been referred to as a promille paradise due to its low drinking age, low taxation on alcohol, and social trivialization of the risks and harmfulness of alcohol. This has led to an increase in alcohol-specific mortality, with approximately 74,000 people dying every year due to alcohol in Germany. While there is limited data on teen deaths specifically, alcohol-related hospitalization among youth is a significant issue, with 21,700 children and young people between the ages of 10 and 20 hospitalized for alcohol poisoning in 2017. Additionally, studies show that about half of Germany's teenagers engage in binge drinking, and there is a clear link between early alcohol consumption and continued alcohol use in adulthood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of 11- to 17-year-olds who have ever drunk alcohol | 51.0% |
| Percentage of 11- to 17-year-olds who practice at-risk drinking | 12.1% |
| Percentage of 11- to 17-year-olds who practice heavy episodic drinking | 7.0% |
| Number of children and youth aged 10-20 hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning in 2017 | 21,700 |
| Number of people who die every year due to alcohol in Germany | 74,000 |
| Number of cancer deaths attributable to alcohol in Germany | 15,000 |
| Percentage of teenagers (aged 12-17) who drink alcohol regularly | 9% |
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What You'll Learn
Germany has one of the lowest drinking ages in the world
The country's lenient laws regarding alcohol are intended to teach young people an appropriate approach to consumption rather than keeping them away from it entirely. However, Germany has been referred to as a "promille paradise" due to its low drinking age, low taxation on alcohol, and social trivialization of the risks associated with excessive drinking. This perception is further reinforced by the country's drinking culture, as exemplified by events like Oktoberfest, which contributes to the high rate of teenage drinking in the country. According to studies, about half of Germany's teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 admit to binge drinking.
The consequences of Germany's low drinking age and permissive alcohol culture are significant. In 2017, 21,700 children between the ages of ten and twenty were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. Additionally, a study published in 2019 revealed that 74,000 people in Germany die from alcohol-related causes annually. Furthermore, alcohol-specific mortality rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among middle-aged adults.
Despite the alarming statistics, there is a common misconception that Germany's low drinking age leads to lower levels of alcoholism. This notion is based on the assumption that early exposure to alcohol teaches young people responsible drinking habits. However, Germany's high rate of teenage drinking and alcohol-related hospitalizations among minors indicate that the country's permissive alcohol regulatory scheme may be ineffective in reducing alcohol consumption and related problems.
While Germany has one of the lowest drinking ages globally, the negative consequences of this policy are evident. The country is facing significant challenges due to excessive alcohol consumption, particularly among its youth.
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Alcohol is a leading cause of premature death
The foundations for health-related behaviour in adulthood are set at an early age. Young people who use alcohol tend to continue doing so regularly into adulthood. In Germany, youths are allowed to purchase and consume beer and wine in public without supervision at the age of 16. While there is a common misconception that this low drinking age means Germans do not end up with as much alcoholism later in life, this is untrue. Germany reports that about half of its teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 binge drink. Festivals and public drinking that are common in Germany encourage this behaviour, even among teens.
A study by the RWI Essen found a correlation between reaching the age of 16 and then consuming significantly more alcohol and committing more crimes. In 2017, approximately 21,700 children and youth between the ages of 10 and 20 were hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning. The Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (German Centre for Addiction Issues) and the German Cancer Research Center have recommended raising the drinking age for all alcoholic beverages in Germany to 18 years. Additionally, in a 2015 survey conducted by YouGov, a majority of the 1252 participants were in favour of raising the minimum age for light alcoholic beverages in Germany to 18.
Germany has been referred to as a "promille paradise" due to low taxation on alcohol, low drinking age, and tax regulations regarding availability. The country has very few restrictions on alcohol consumption in public, and alcohol is often cheaper than non-alcoholic beverages. Germany's permissive alcohol laws have contributed to numerous alcohol problems, with teens especially embracing the opportunity to drink. Germany may need to increase the intensity of its alcohol regulatory scheme and make educational efforts to address this issue effectively.
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Alcohol-related hospitalisations among youth
The hands-off nature of Germany's alcohol regulatory scheme has been criticised for contributing to a harmful alcohol culture, particularly among youth. Studies show that about half of Germany's teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 admit to binge drinking, with festivals and public drinking normalising this behaviour. This early drinking onset can have long-lasting adverse consequences, as extensive alcohol consumption is linked to various negative outcomes such as crime, risky sexual behaviour, academic underperformance, unemployment, and adverse health effects.
In recent years, alcohol-related hospitalisation rates among adolescents and young adults in Germany have doubled. In 2011, 41,959 individuals between the ages of 15 and 29 received hospital treatment due to excessive alcohol consumption, compared to 18,391 in 2002. This trend is particularly concerning given the young age range. Furthermore, a 2019 study reported that 74,000 people in Germany die from alcohol-related causes annually, with approximately 14,000 deaths entirely attributable to alcohol. While the overall alcohol-specific mortality rate in Germany decreased between 2010 and 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in alcohol consumption and a subsequent rise in alcohol-related deaths in 2020.
To address the issue of alcohol-related hospitalisations among youth, Germany implemented a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages between 10 pm and 5 am at off-premise outlets in the state of Baden-Württemberg in 2010. This policy change reduced alcohol-related hospitalisations among adolescents and young adults by about 7%. Additionally, there was a decrease in the number of hospitalizations due to violent assault. However, the effectiveness of this ban may be limited, as drinking is easily accessible and affordable for youth in Germany.
Overall, Germany faces a significant challenge in reducing alcohol-related hospitalisations among youth, requiring a combination of regulatory measures, educational initiatives, and a shift in social norms surrounding alcohol consumption.
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Alcohol-fuelled crime and violence
Germany has one of the lowest drinking ages in the world, with youths as young as 16 allowed to purchase and consume beer and wine in public without supervision. This, combined with the country's drinking culture, has been linked to various alcohol-related issues, including teen binge drinking. While the exact number of teen deaths from alcohol each year in Germany is unclear, studies indicate that alcohol plays a significant role in crime and violence.
The relationship between alcohol consumption and violent behaviour is well-established. Alcohol impairs judgment, lowers inhibitions, and increases aggression, making individuals more likely to engage in violent or criminal activities. The high prevalence of alcohol consumption in Germany, particularly among teenagers, contributes to the high rate of alcohol-fuelled crime and violence in the country.
Germany has been referred to as a "promille paradise" due to its low taxation on alcohol, low drinking age, and lax tax regulations regarding alcohol availability. These factors contribute to the high per capita alcohol consumption in the country, which was the fifth-highest worldwide in 2016. The normalisation of heavy alcohol use and the ease of access to alcoholic beverages, especially for teenagers, are significant contributors to the high rate of alcohol-related crimes and violence in Germany.
While the country has taken some steps to address these issues, such as the recent appointment of a Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, there is still a lack of a comprehensive national action plan to tackle the epidemic of alcohol use disorders. Experts recommend raising the drinking age and increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages to reduce alcohol consumption and mitigate the negative impacts of alcohol on society, particularly among teenagers.
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Binge drinking among German teens
Binge drinking is a significant problem among German teens. A study by the German Central Office for Addiction Issues (DHS) found that Germany is one of the most addicted societies in the world, with alcohol addiction and alcohol-related harm affecting individuals, families, and society. While there is no data on teen deaths from alcohol each year, alcohol-related hospitalisations and the broader impacts of binge drinking on teens are concerning.
In 2017, approximately 21,700 children and young people between the ages of 10 and 20 were hospitalised due to alcohol poisoning. This indicates a significant problem with alcohol consumption among minors in Germany. The DHS study also revealed that alcohol use disorders are at epidemic proportions, with per capita alcohol consumption worryingly high.
Heavy episodic alcohol use, or binge drinking, is prevalent among German adolescents. A 2019 study found that more than half of 15 to 19-year-olds engage in binge drinking, and almost 12 million 18 to 64-year-olds engage in occasional binge drinking. This makes Germany a high-alcohol-consumption country, according to the World Health Organization.
Various factors contribute to the culture of binge drinking among German teens. Firstly, the price of alcohol in Germany is relatively cheap, especially beer, which is considered a vital foodstuff and is taxed at a lower rate. Secondly, the legal drinking age in Germany is 16 for beer and wine, and teens are allowed to drink in bars as long as they consume only these beverages. This early introduction to alcohol may impact teenagers' understanding of their tolerance and lead to excessive drinking. Additionally, the concept of "pre-drinking" or "warming up" by drinking at home before going out to clubs is becoming popular among German youth as it is more cost-effective than drinking in bars and clubs.
The consequences of binge drinking among German teens are significant. Alcohol consumption among adolescents can lead to vandalism, violence, sexual assault, suicide, and accidents. Additionally, frequent alcohol consumption during adolescence can have negative effects on brain development, particularly in the frontal and temporal cortical structures, which are important for behaviour control and memory. There is also evidence that adolescents who frequently binge drink are more likely to continue this behaviour into adulthood, leading to long-term alcohol-related problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Approximately 74,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in Germany each year.
About half of Germany's teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 admit to binge drinking.
In Germany, youths are allowed to purchase and consume beer and wine in public without supervision at the age of 16. However, there are ongoing debates about raising the drinking age to 18.
21,700 children and youth between the ages of 10 and 20 were hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning in 2017.
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