Noah Vinter
Alcohol consumption is a worldwide trend, with an average consumption of 5.5 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15 and above per year. However, consumption rates vary widely across the world, with European countries generally having the highest per capita consumption, and Middle Eastern countries having the lowest. For example, in 2024, the country with the highest alcohol consumption was Uganda, with 12.21 litres per person per year, while the United States consumed 9.97 litres per person in 2019.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Worldwide consumption in 2019 | 5.5 litres of pure alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older |
| Worldwide consumption in 2010 | 5.7 litres |
| Average consumption in the United States in 2019 | 9.97 litres of pure alcohol per person |
| Average consumption in Belarus | 14.4 litres of pure alcohol per person |
| Average consumption in Russia | 11.5 litres of pure alcohol per person |
| Average consumption in Ireland, Luxembourg, and Slovakia | 11.4 litres of pure alcohol per capita |
| Average consumption in France in the 1920s | 22.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per year |
| Average consumption in France | 370 servings of wine per capita |
| Average consumption in Brazil | Significantly low average number of wine servings (16) |
| Average consumption in North Africa and the Middle East | Close to zero |
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What You'll Learn
Geographical differences
There are significant geographical differences in average alcohol consumption per adult worldwide. Alcohol consumption across North Africa and the Middle East is notably low, with many countries reporting consumption levels close to zero. Religious views in the Middle East tend to view alcohol consumption negatively, which is reflected in the region's significantly low consumption levels. In most countries in this region, the majority of adults have never consumed alcohol.
In contrast, alcohol intake across Europe is generally higher. Belarus, a small landlocked country in Europe, has the highest average consumption of pure alcohol per capita globally. Belarusian citizens consumed an average of 14.4 liters of pure alcohol per year, exceeding the consumption levels of Americans by more than 1.5 times. Russia, known for its vodka consumption, drank an average of 11.5 liters of pure alcohol per year, placing it among the top five countries for alcohol consumption.
Other European countries with high alcohol consumption include Ireland, Luxembourg, and Slovakia, which consumed an average of 11.4 liters per capita. France, a top country by GDP, also has high alcohol consumption and an above-average life expectancy. It is worth noting that France had the highest number of wine servings per capita, with 370 servings, but a relatively low average number of beer servings.
The United States, ranking 25th globally, has an average alcohol consumption of 8.7 liters of pure alcohol per capita annually, according to one source, while another source places the figure at 9.97 liters in 2019, which is still significantly above the worldwide average. Consumption in the US varies by state, and it is important to note that the country has a strict minimum drinking age of 21 that is enforced in most locations.
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Alcohol abstinence
According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide consumption of alcohol in 2019 was 5.5 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15 years or older. This is a decrease from 5.7 litres in 2010.
However, alcohol consumption varies widely across the globe. While alcohol consumption across Europe is relatively high, with more than two-thirds of adults drinking alcohol in most countries, alcohol intake in North Africa and the Middle East is significantly lower. In these regions, only 5 to 10 percent of adults consume alcohol, and in some countries, this figure falls below 5 percent.
Abstinence from alcohol, also known as teetotalism, is the practice of voluntarily refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages. Globally, in 2016, 57% of adults had not consumed alcohol in the past year, and 44.5% had never consumed alcohol. Teetotalism has been associated with certain religious groups, such as specific Christian denominations like Anabaptists, Methodists, Quakers, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which preach abstinence from alcohol.
There are several benefits associated with abstaining from alcohol:
- Improved physical health: Alcohol affects the sleep-wake cycle, disrupts metabolism, contributes to weight gain, and interferes with digestion and nutrient absorption. Abstaining from alcohol can lead to better sleep, healthier weight management, and improved overall nutrition.
- Enhanced mental well-being: Excessive drinking is linked to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Abstaining from alcohol can allow for more focused mental health treatment and help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Reduced risk of alcohol-related harm: Alcohol is a risk factor for various negative outcomes, including health issues, crime, road incidents, and alcohol dependence. Abstinence eliminates these risks and helps break the cycle of alcohol dependence.
- Improved appearance: Alcohol can affect the elasticity of the skin. By abstaining from alcohol, individuals may notice improvements in their skin's appearance and elasticity.
- Social alternatives: The popularity of non-alcoholic beverages, such as mocktails, has been rising. This trend provides social alternatives for those abstaining from alcohol while still allowing them to enjoy tasty and refreshing drinks.
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Alcoholism
The average per capita alcohol consumption varies worldwide, with geographical differences. North Africa and the Middle East have particularly low consumption rates, with alcohol intake close to zero in many countries. In contrast, alcohol consumption across Europe is generally higher. Belarus, for example, has the highest average consumption rate among European countries, with its citizens consuming 14.4 litres of pure alcohol per capita annually. This is followed by Russia, with an average consumption of 11.5 litres per capita.
The treatment for alcoholism typically involves medication and behavioural therapy. Medications such as benzodiazepines, acamprosate, or disulfiram can help manage cravings and prevent further drinking. Behavioural therapy aims to address the underlying behavioural, social, and cultural influences that contribute to alcohol use disorder. Studies show that with treatment, most individuals with alcoholism can reduce their alcohol consumption or achieve abstinence.
The negative consequences of alcoholism are far-reaching. Alcoholism can damage all organ systems, particularly the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and immune system. It increases the risk of cognitive issues such as dementia, brain damage, or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, as well as physical problems like irregular heartbeat, liver cirrhosis, increased cancer risk, and severe withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism also impacts road safety, with drunk driving increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Additionally, it contributes to crime, with a reported association between alcoholism and both violent and non-violent crimes.
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Alcohol consumption by beverage type
Alcohol consumption varies widely across the world, with geographical, cultural, and religious factors influencing drinking habits. Beer, wine, and spirits are the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverages, with other drinks like rice wine, soju, sake, mead, cider, and various African beers also contributing to global consumption patterns.
Beer, typically made from malt, is a popular alcoholic beverage worldwide. Countries like the United States, Brazil, and Sweden have notable consumption levels, with beer contributing significantly to their overall alcohol intake. Beer consumption can vary within a country over time, as seen in France, where beer's share of total alcohol consumption increased over the years to become a substantial portion.
Wine, derived from grapes, is another widely consumed alcoholic beverage. France stands out for its exceptionally high wine consumption, with 370 servings per capita, while Japan and India have much lower wine consumption rates. Wine consumption can also vary between countries; for example, Sweden has increased its share of wine consumption, while Brazil has a relatively low average number of wine servings.
Spirits, including vodka, whiskey, and similar distilled beverages, are prevalent in many regions. Russia, known for its association with vodka, consumes a significant amount of spirits, although President Putin has been cracking down on illegal alcohol consumption. Other countries like Belarus, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Slovakia also have high per capita consumption of spirits, contributing to their overall alcohol intake.
The "other" category of alcoholic beverages encompasses a diverse range of drinks, such as rice wine, soju, sake, mead, cider, and various African beers. While individual consumption data for these drinks may vary, collectively, they contribute to the global consumption patterns of alcohol.
While beer, wine, and spirits are the primary contributors to alcohol consumption globally, the "other" category highlights the diverse drinking preferences and cultural traditions that exist alongside these more common beverages.
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Alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol consumption is linked to a range of negative outcomes, including health risks, crime, road incidents, and alcohol dependence. While social drinking or moderate alcohol consumption can be enjoyable for many, excessive drinking can lead to serious problems.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately three million preventable deaths per year due to alcohol and drug use. Of these deaths, 2.6 million are directly attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for about five per cent of all deaths globally. The highest numbers of alcohol-related deaths are in the WHO European Region and the African Region. Additionally, the death rates are highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.
Young men aged 20 to 39 are the most affected by alcohol-related deaths. This vulnerable demographic experiences the highest prevalence of alcohol-related mortality, highlighting a concerning trend that requires targeted intervention and support.
The major causes of alcohol-related deaths include alcohol poisoning, liver damage, heart failure, cancer, and car accidents. These preventable deaths underscore the harmful impact of excessive alcohol consumption on individual health and well-being.
To address this global issue, the WHO has urged the implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030. This comprehensive strategy aims to effectively reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide, improve treatment coverage for substance abuse disorders, and prevent the tragic loss of life associated with alcohol consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Worldwide consumption in 2019 was equal to 5.5 litres of pure alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older. This is a decrease from 5.7 litres in 2010.
Belarus consumed the greatest average number of litres of pure alcohol per capita. On average, its citizens consumed 14.4 litres each year.
Alcohol consumption across North Africa and the Middle East is particularly low and is close to zero in many countries.
France, Russia, South Korea, and Brazil have the most years of life lost to alcohol. However, France had one of the highest average life expectancies.
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