
Alcohol consumption varies worldwide, with some countries having higher-than-average drinking rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) periodically publishes The Global Status Report on Alcohol, which provides data on alcohol consumption per capita by country. The latest data from 2024 showed that worldwide consumption in 2019 was 5.5 liters of pure alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older. This is a decrease from 5.7 liters in 2010. According to global estimates, the top five countries with the highest alcohol consumption per person are Romania, Georgia, Czechia (the Czech Republic), Latvia, and Germany. However, other countries like Bulgaria, Austria, Ireland, Poland, and the United States also have high drinking rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country with the highest consumption of alcohol | Belarus |
| Number of liters of pure alcohol consumed per capita | 14.4 liters |
| Country with the highest average life expectancy | Japan |
| Country with the lowest average life expectancy | India |
| Country with the highest consumption of alcohol among top GDP countries | France |
| Country with the highest consumption of spirits among top GDP countries | Russia |
| Country with the highest consumption of wine | France |
| Country with the highest consumption of beer | Brazil |
| Country with the highest per-capita spending on alcohol | Czech Republic |
| Country with the highest consumption of alcohol in 2019 | United States |
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What You'll Learn
- Romania, Georgia, Czechia, Latvia, and Germany are the top 5 countries with the highest alcohol consumption
- Belarus consumes the most pure alcohol per capita
- Czechia has the highest per-capita spending on alcohol
- Bulgarian men consume nearly 20.2 liters of alcohol per year
- France has the highest average number of wine servings per capita

Romania, Georgia, Czechia, Latvia, and Germany are the top 5 countries with the highest alcohol consumption
Romania has the highest alcohol consumption per person at 16.9 litres annually. This is significantly higher than the US, where consumption is measured at 9.97 litres. Afghanistan and Libya, on the other hand, have the lowest consumption rates, at 0.01 and 0.03 litres, respectively.
Latvia is facing a significant drinking problem, with alcohol consumption on the rise since 2009. According to OECD data from 2019, the average Latvian consumed 12.9 litres of alcoholic beverages. This makes Latvia one of the top countries with the highest per capita alcohol consumption. The country is addressing this issue with plans such as the Health Ministry's "Action Plan for Reducing Alcohol Consumption and Alcoholism 2020-2022". However, these plans seem to have limited success, and there is a need for additional funding to tackle the country's alcohol dependency issues effectively.
Czechia is another country with a high per capita alcohol consumption. Heavy episodic drinking, or binge drinking, is prevalent in Czechia and is associated with various health risks and negative consequences. The average annual consumption in the country is 10 litres of ethanol per capita, which equates to approximately 22 grams per capita per day. To address the health burden of alcohol consumption, Czechia has implemented an integrated addictions policy since 2014, combining strategies for legal and illegal substances and behavioural addictions.
Germany also makes the list of countries with high alcohol consumption. In 2023, the per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages in Germany was 115.3 litres, based on preliminary figures. While consumption has fluctuated over the years, a decreasing trend has been observed in the last decade.
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Belarus consumes the most pure alcohol per capita
Alcohol is consumed worldwide, but some countries have higher-than-average drinking rates. Alcohol consumption varies from country to country, influenced by factors such as laws, culture, and religion. European countries generally have the highest per capita consumption, while Middle Eastern countries have the lowest due to religious views.
Other countries with high alcohol consumption include Bulgaria, Austria, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Romania, Germany, and Latvia. These countries have a strong cultural relationship with alcohol and high per-capita spending on alcoholic beverages. Additionally, countries like the United States, France, and Russia have high annual consumption per person, with Russia consuming the most spirits among top GDP countries.
While Belarus holds the distinction of consuming the most pure alcohol per capita, it is important to note that alcohol consumption patterns and their impact on health vary across countries. Factors such as drinking frequency, binge drinking, and access to healthcare can also influence the overall effects of alcohol consumption on a population.
To address high alcohol consumption and its negative consequences, countries implement various measures, including legal drinking ages, restrictions on public consumption, liquor licensing, and drunk driving laws. These measures aim to promote responsible drinking and reduce the harmful effects of alcohol abuse on individuals and society.
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Czechia has the highest per-capita spending on alcohol
Alcohol consumption is a worldwide trend, with some countries having higher-than-average consumption rates. The average global rate of consumption per person is 5.5 litres of pure alcohol a year. However, this figure varies depending on the country and is influenced by factors such as laws, culture, and religion.
Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic, stands out when it comes to alcohol spending. Czechia has the highest per-capita spending on alcohol, with a record sum spent in 2019, according to Eurostat. This high spending is likely driven by the country's strong drinking culture, with beer being the most popular drink among Czechs. The creation of the popular beer type, pilsner, is credited to the nation.
The Czechs' love for beer has not gone unnoticed, and it has contributed to their notable position in global alcohol consumption rankings. With an average annual consumption of 13.29 litres of pure alcohol per person, the Czech Republic ranks third among countries with the highest alcohol consumption. This figure translates to a staggering 6.9 litres for women and 22.0 litres for men when broken down by gender, both of which are global highs.
While Czechia leads in per-capita spending, other countries also have high alcohol consumption rates. For instance, Romania tops the list of countries with the highest alcohol consumption per person, according to the World Health Organization's 2019 data. Georgia, Latvia, and Germany follow closely behind, rounding out the top five.
The impact of alcohol consumption on life expectancy is also noteworthy. While France, Russia, South Korea, and Brazil have the most years of life lost to alcohol, the correlation between alcohol consumption and life expectancy is complex. Belarus, for instance, has the highest consumption of pure alcohol per capita globally but does not have the lowest life expectancy.
In summary, Czechia's high per-capita spending on alcohol is a notable aspect of its drinking culture, contributing to its position as one of the top countries in alcohol consumption globally. However, the impact of alcohol extends beyond quantity consumed, as evident in the varying effects on life expectancy across different countries.
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Bulgarian men consume nearly 20.2 liters of alcohol per year
Alcohol is consumed worldwide, but some countries have higher-than-average drinking rates. The average global rate of consumption of alcohol per person is 5.5 liters a year. However, Bulgarian men consume nearly 20.2 liters of alcohol per year, raising the national average to 11.92 liters. This makes Bulgaria one of the countries with the highest alcohol consumption per capita.
Bulgaria is not alone in its high alcohol consumption. The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is known for its beer culture, with beer being the most popular drink among Czechs. On average, Czechs drink 13.29 liters of pure alcohol each year. Additionally, they rank first for per-capita spending on alcohol, with a record high sum spent in 2019.
Other countries with notable alcohol consumption rates include Austria, where 33% of adults engage in binge drinking at least once a month, and the national average consumption is 11.97 liters of pure alcohol per year. France, despite having one of the highest average life expectancies, also has a high average number of wine servings per capita at 370. Russia leads the way in spirit consumption, with an average of 326 servings per person in a single year.
While these countries have high alcohol consumption rates, the impact on health varies. For example, France and Brazil have the most years of life lost to alcohol, despite France's high life expectancy. On the other hand, countries like Italy consume relatively smaller amounts of beer but larger amounts of wine, indicating that the type of alcohol and drinking patterns may be more significant factors than just the volume consumed.
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France has the highest average number of wine servings per capita
While alcohol consumption rates vary worldwide, some countries have higher-than-average drinking rates. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2.3 billion people currently consume alcohol. The global average rate of consumption per person is 5.5 liters of pure alcohol per year for individuals aged 15 and older. This rate has decreased from 5.7 liters in 2010.
European countries generally have the highest per capita alcohol consumption, while Middle Eastern countries have the lowest due to religious views. Romania tops the list of countries with the highest alcohol consumption per person, followed by Georgia, Czechia, Latvia, and Germany. Czechia also ranks first in per-capita spending on alcohol, with a record-high expenditure in 2019.
Among the countries with high alcohol consumption, France stands out for its high average number of wine servings per capita. France has approximately 370 wine servings per capita, significantly higher than other countries. While France also has a relatively low average number of beer servings, its high wine consumption has led to concerns about the impact on life expectancy.
France's high wine consumption is notable, but it is essential to consider other factors influencing life expectancy. For instance, France has one of the highest average life expectancies globally, despite having the most years of life lost to alcohol. This suggests that additional factors, such as lifestyle, healthcare, and other health-related behaviors, contribute to overall life expectancy.
In summary, France's high average number of wine servings per capita sets it apart from other countries with high alcohol consumption rates. However, the relationship between alcohol consumption and life expectancy is complex, and France's high wine consumption does not necessarily translate directly into a lower life expectancy.
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Frequently asked questions
Romania tops the list of countries with the highest alcohol consumption per person, with 17 litres of pure alcohol consumed per person per year.
Georgia, Czechia (Czech Republic), Latvia, and Germany.
5.5 litres per person per year.
Countries in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Kuwait, Sudan, Mauritania, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia.
Alcohol consumption is measured in equivalent litres of pure alcohol (ethanol) consumed per capita per year.






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