Noah Vinter
South Africa has a reputation for high alcohol consumption, with the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing concern over the issue. In 2016, South Africa ranked 50th out of 195 countries for total alcohol consumed per capita, with an average per capita consumption of 9.3 litres. When considering only drinkers, South Africa's per capita consumption rises to 28.9 litres, ranking 5th highest in the world. This heavy drinking culture has led to social issues and health concerns, with a high rate of alcohol-related road deaths. South Africa's drinking culture is characterised by binge drinking, with a significant proportion of the drinking population engaging in heavy episodic drinking. While overall alcohol consumption per capita is expected to increase, the majority of South Africans (69%) abstain from drinking, with non-drinkers and former drinkers making up almost 70% of the population in 2016.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| South Africa's rank by alcohol consumption per capita in Africa in 2019 | 3rd |
| South Africa's rank by alcohol consumption per capita in the world in 2016 | 50th |
| South Africa's rank by heavy episodic drinking in 2016 | 23rd |
| Average alcohol consumption per capita in South Africa in 2015 | 11.5 L of pure alcohol |
| Average alcohol consumption per capita in South Africa in 2016 | 9.3 L of pure alcohol |
| Average alcohol consumption per drinker in South Africa in 2015 | 27 L of pure alcohol |
| Average alcohol consumption per drinking population in South Africa | 28.9 L of pure alcohol per year |
| Percentage of South Africans who drink alcohol | 31% |
| Percentage of South Africans who abstain from drinking alcohol | 53.5% (never consumed alcohol) and 15.5% (used to drink but stopped) |
| Percentage of men who consume alcohol in South Africa | 50% |
| Percentage of women who consume alcohol in South Africa | 20% |
| Percentage of men binge drinkers in South Africa | 48% |
| Percentage of women binge drinkers in South Africa | 32% |
| Percentage of South African drinkers who are binge drinkers | 59% |
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What You'll Learn
South Africa's global ranking by alcohol consumption per capita
South Africa has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption per capita in the world. While the majority of the adult population do not drink alcohol, the third that do, drink heavily. In 2016, South Africa ranked 50th out of 195 countries for total alcohol consumed per capita. The average South African over the age of 15 consumed 9.3 litres of pure alcohol each in 2016. This figure was 16.2 litres for men and 2.7 litres for women.
In 2015, the total per capita alcohol consumption in South Africa was 11.5 litres of pure alcohol, and alcohol consumption per drinker was 27 litres of pure alcohol, one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world. The WHO's most recent data from 2016 tracked levels of alcohol consumption and showed that an estimated 31% of the population aged 15 and older consume alcohol, with the majority (69%) abstaining from drinking for at least 12 months.
According to the WHO's data, South Africa's drinking population consumes 28.9 litres of pure alcohol per capita per year, the fifth-highest consumption rate in the world, behind Namibia, Eswatini, the Cook Islands and Tunisia. Spread across the entire population, South Africa falls to 52nd overall, with consumption per capita of 9.3 litres.
In 2016, South Africa ranked 23rd out of 195 countries for heavy episodic drinking among those who drink. Almost 70% of South Africans over 15 abstained from drinking alcohol in 2016. However, the issue in South Africa is high levels of binge drinking among those who do drink. Of those South Africans who drink, 59% of them engage in "heavy episodic drinking" or binge drinking.
In 2019, South Africa ranked third in Africa for alcohol consumption per capita, with just under 10 litres per person.
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Alcohol-related road deaths in South Africa
South Africa's high alcohol consumption has been a cause for concern for the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa. In 2016, the country ranked 50th out of 195 countries for total alcohol consumed per capita, with an average per capita consumption of 9.3 litres of pure alcohol. This was 1.45 times higher than the global average.
Alcohol-related road deaths are a significant issue in South Africa, with drunk driving being one of the biggest threats to road safety in the country. Research indicates that 50% of people who die on South African roads have a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres. This is in line with global trends, where alcohol intoxication has been significantly associated with an increased risk of road traffic crashes and fatalities for all road users, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The diminished capacity of intoxicated drivers to operate motor vehicles and their increased propensity for risk-taking behaviours contribute to the high number of alcohol-related road deaths.
In South Africa, the impact of alcohol intoxication on road users has been well-documented. A review of various studies found prevalence estimates of driver intoxication ranging from 33% to 69%, indicating a high risk of fatal crashes for all road users. The country has experienced a recent surge in road fatalities, with three horrific bus crashes occurring within a short span of two weeks in different provinces.
To address the issue of drunk driving and reduce alcohol-related road deaths, South Africa has implemented legislation such as the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA), Act 93 of 1996, which prohibits driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. The act sets specific blood alcohol concentration limits for different types of drivers, with lower limits for professional drivers.
However, the relationship between alcohol intoxication and other driver risk behaviours in South Africa requires further research to develop effective policy interventions. By understanding the interplay between alcohol and other risk factors, such as speeding or traffic exposure, targeted initiatives can be designed to reduce the number of alcohol-related road deaths in the country.
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Alcohol consumption per capita in Africa in 2019
In 2019, Nigerians consumed over 13 litres of alcohol per capita, making it the leading country in Africa in terms of alcohol consumption per capita. The Kingdom of Eswatini and South Africa ranked second and third, respectively, with just under 10 litres consumed per person.
Alcohol consumption across North Africa and the Middle East is relatively low compared to other regions. In many countries, it is close to zero. In contrast, alcohol intake across Europe is higher, with over two-thirds of adults consuming alcohol in most countries.
The production and consumption of unrecorded alcoholic beverages, such as homebrew and smuggled alcohol, is common in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. While these locally produced beverages are often cheaper than commercial equivalents, they can be dangerous and, in some cases, lethal.
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Alcohol-related harm in South Africa
One of the main concerns regarding alcohol consumption in South Africa is the high prevalence of binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking among those who drink. According to Prof Neo Morojele, a consultant with the South African Medical Research Council, moderate drinking is relatively rare in the country. Approximately 59% of South African drinkers engage in binge drinking, which the WHO defines as consuming 60 or more grams of pure alcohol on at least one occasion per month. This binge drinking culture has been linked to various social issues, including increased crime rates, particularly gender-based violence and femicide. Harmful alcohol use has been identified as a significant driver of gender-based violence, with binge drinking by men increasing both the frequency and severity of partner abuse.
The alcohol industry in South Africa has also been criticised for contributing to the country's high alcohol consumption levels. The current business model for the beer industry relies on a large proportion of drinkers engaging in heavy episodic drinking, and the marketing and sale of alcohol in larger containers further encourage this behaviour. Additionally, South Africa's national alcohol policy has been described as ineffective in controlling the harmful use of alcoholic beverages. As of 2018, there were no national restrictions on the days, hours, location, or density of alcohol outlets, and advertising and product placement were largely self-regulated.
The economic costs of alcohol-related harm in South Africa are substantial. A study found that the direct economic cost of alcohol was R38 billion, or 1.6% of GDP in 2009. When indirect costs such as those related to premature death and absenteeism were included, the economic costs rose to between R246 billion and R281 billion, equivalent to 10%-12% of GDP.
To address alcohol-related harm, the South African government has implemented various strategies. The National Liquor Act prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 and requires establishments with liquor licenses to perform verification checks against identity documents. The government has also committed to reviewing the Liquor Amendment Bill, which aims to strengthen regulations on alcohol trading, marketing, and sales, increase the legal drinking age to 21, and introduce increased radius limitations for alcohol trade around educational and religious institutions. Additionally, the government has emphasised the importance of individual responsibility, urging South Africans to act responsibly when consuming alcohol.
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Binge drinking in South Africa
South Africa has a high level of alcohol consumption compared to other countries. In 2016, the country ranked 50th out of 195 countries for total alcohol consumed per capita. The average per capita consumption was 1.45 times higher than the global average. While almost 70% of South Africans over 15 abstained from drinking alcohol in 2016, the issue lies with the high levels of binge drinking among those who do drink.
Binge drinking, or heavy episodic drinking, refers to consuming a high volume of alcohol in a short space of time, generally with the intention of getting drunk. It is defined as drinking five or more drinks (for men) and four or more drinks (for women) in a short period, typically a couple of hours. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines binge drinking as the consumption of "60 or more grams of pure alcohol on at least one occasion at least once per month". In South Africa, a person could be considered a binge drinker if they drink four 340ml bottles of beer or 600ml of white wine in one sitting.
According to various sources, between 25% and 50% of drinkers in South Africa are binge drinkers. A study conducted on learners in Gauteng found that 66% had been drunk, indicating harmful drinking patterns among adolescents and young adults. Binge drinking at a young age has been linked to negative impacts on education outcomes. Furthermore, up to 62,000 deaths per year in South Africa are attributed to alcohol consumption, with the majority resulting from binge drinking episodes.
The high prevalence of binge drinking in South Africa has caught the attention of the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa. In 2020, he expressed concern over the country's "high alcohol consumption level" and the resulting social issues. South Africa's alcohol control measures aim to address this problem, but alcohol remains easily accessible and widely consumed.
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Frequently asked questions
South Africa ranked 50th out of 195 countries for total alcohol consumed per capita in 2016.
In 2016, the average alcohol consumption per capita in South Africa was 9.3 litres. This is 1.45 times higher than the global average of 6.4 litres per person.
In 2016, an estimated 31% of the population aged 15 and older consumed alcohol, with 69% abstaining from drinking for at least 12 months.
59% of drinkers in South Africa engage in binge drinking, consuming 60 grams or more of pure alcohol on at least one occasion over a 30-day period.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related road deaths in the world, with up to 58% of deaths attributed to alcohol consumption. Additionally, one in ten deaths in the country is associated with alcohol use, and high alcohol consumption is linked to increased social issues and risky behaviour.
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