Theo Nash
Alcohol consumption varies widely across the globe, with drinkers in the UAE consuming almost twice the global average per year, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report, which surveyed consumption rates between 2008 and 2010 in 194 WHO member states, found that the UAE's drinking habits put it in the most at-risk category, with alarming rates of liver cirrhosis and alcohol-related deaths. With 85% of the UAE population comprising expatriates, the country's drinking culture differs significantly from its Middle Eastern neighbours, where alcohol consumption is generally low due to religious influences.
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What You'll Learn
UAE drinkers consume 32.8 litres of pure alcohol per person per year
Alcohol consumption in the UAE has reached alarming rates, with drinkers consuming almost twice the global average per year. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the average consumption rate in the UAE is 32.8 litres of pure alcohol per person per year, compared to the global average of 17 litres per person. This rate is significantly higher than that of traditionally heavy-drinking Western nations such as the UK, Ireland, the US, and Australia.
The high alcohol consumption in the UAE has put the country in the highest health risk category, with a maximum score of five for years of life lost. The Age-Standardisation Death Rate (ASDR) due to liver cirrhosis is 14.5 per 100,000 people aged 15 and over, and the Alcohol-Attributable Fraction (AAF) is 27.95 percent. These rates indicate that the harmful use of alcohol is taking a significant toll on the health of UAE residents.
The WHO report excluded tourists but included expatriate residents, who make up 85 percent of the UAE's population. This high proportion of expatriates may contribute to the elevated alcohol consumption rates in the country. Spirits were the preferred drink in the UAE, accounting for 87 percent of alcoholic beverages, while beer made up only 10 percent.
When considering the entire UAE population aged 15 and older, including non-drinkers, the average alcohol consumption per capita was 4.3 litres between 2008 and 2010. This per capita rate takes into account all residents, including those who abstain from alcohol. The report also found that alcohol consumption patterns vary widely globally, with European countries generally having the highest per capita consumption and Middle Eastern countries, influenced by religious views, having the lowest.
The harmful use of alcohol is not isolated to the UAE, as worldwide, approximately 3.3 million deaths in 2012 were attributed to alcohol consumption. The WHO has warned that alcohol consumption can lead to dependence and increase the risk of developing various diseases, including liver cirrhosis and certain cancers. Binge drinking, or heavy episodic drinking, is particularly harmful to health and is prevalent among approximately 16 percent of drinkers worldwide. Lower-income groups often bear the brunt of the social and health consequences of alcohol consumption due to limited access to quality healthcare and supportive community networks.
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The global average is 17 litres per person per year
Alcohol consumption varies significantly worldwide, with drinkers in the UAE consuming almost double the global average per year, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report. The global average is 17 litres per person per year, but the UAE's consumption rate is 32.8 litres of pure alcohol equivalent per person per year. This rate surpasses that of traditionally heavy-drinking Western nations such as the UK, Ireland, the US, and Australia.
The WHO report analysed consumption rates between 2008 and 2010 in 194 member states. It excluded tourists but included expatriate residents, who constitute 85% of the UAE's population. The report revealed that drinkers in Qatar had the second-highest consumption rate in the GCC at 22.7 litres per person, followed by Bahrain (21.2 litres per person), Oman (15.5 litres per person), Saudi Arabia (3.9 litres per person), and Kuwait (1.3 litres per person).
When considering the entire UAE population aged 15 and older, including non-drinkers, the average alcohol consumption was 4.3 litres per capita between 2008 and 2010, an increase from 2.5 litres per capita in 2003-2005. Similar population-wide data for other countries in the region showed lower per capita consumption: 2.1 litres in Bahrain, 1.5 litres in Qatar, 0.9 litres in Oman, 0.2 litres in Saudi Arabia, and 0.1 litres in Kuwait.
The high alcohol consumption rates in the UAE have significant health implications, with the report indicating that the country is "most at risk" in terms of years of life lost. The Age-Standardisation Death Rate (ASDR) due to liver cirrhosis was 14.5 per 100,000 people aged 15 and over, and the Alcohol-Attributable Fraction (AAF) was 27.95%. Worldwide, approximately 16% of drinkers engage in heavy episodic drinking or 'binge-drinking', which is the most detrimental to health. Lower-income groups often bear the brunt of the social and health consequences of alcohol consumption, lacking access to quality healthcare and community support.
While the global average stands at 17 litres per person per year, it is essential to acknowledge that alcohol consumption patterns vary across different regions. Europe, influenced by cultural and social factors, generally exhibits the highest per capita consumption, while North African and Middle Eastern countries, influenced by religious views, tend to have the lowest consumption rates.
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Spirits are the preferred drink in the UAE
Alcohol consumption in the UAE is almost double the global average, with drinkers consuming 32.8 litres of pure alcohol per person per year compared to the global average of 17 litres per person. This rate of consumption puts UAE drinkers in the highest health risk categories, with a high risk of liver cirrhosis and an increased risk of developing over 200 other diseases.
The high consumption of spirits in the UAE may be due to several factors, including cultural and religious influences, as well as the availability and affordability of alcohol. The country's large expat population, which makes up 85% of the population, may also influence drinking culture and preferences.
While spirits are the preferred drink in the UAE, it is important to note that beer is still consumed, albeit in smaller quantities, making up 10% of alcohol consumption in the country. This is in line with other countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where beer consumption is also low, at 1%.
The preference for spirits in the UAE has implications for health, as higher-purity alcohol can have more harmful effects on the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that harmful alcohol use can lead to dependence and increase the risk of developing various diseases, including liver cirrhosis and cancer.
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Alcohol consumption puts UAE drinkers in the highest health risk category
Alcohol consumption in the UAE has reached alarming rates, with drinkers consuming almost double the global average per year, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The high consumption rates put UAE drinkers in the highest health risk category.
The report, which examined consumption rates between 2008 and 2010 in 194 WHO member states, revealed that UAE drinkers consumed an average of 32.8 litres of pure alcohol equivalent per person per year. This is in comparison to the global average of 17 litres per person. Notably, the UAE's consumption rate also exceeded that of traditionally heavy-drinking Western nations such as the UK, Ireland, the US, and Australia.
When considering the entire UAE population aged 15 and older, including non-drinkers, the average alcohol consumption was 4.3 litres per capita between 2008 and 2010. This marked an increase from 2.5 litres per capita in 2003-2005. Spirits were the preferred drink, accounting for 87% of alcohol consumption in the UAE. Beer, on the other hand, made up only 10% of alcohol consumption, which is in stark contrast to beer-drinking cultures like Ireland, Australia, and the UK, where beer constitutes a much larger proportion of overall alcohol consumption.
The high levels of alcohol consumption in the UAE have severe health implications. The report gave the UAE a maximum score of five for years of life lost due to liver cirrhosis, with an Age-Standardisation Death Rate (ASDR) of 14.5 per 100,000 people aged 15 and over. Furthermore, the Alcohol-Attributable Fraction (AAF) was 27.95%, indicating that a significant proportion of health issues in the UAE are attributable to alcohol consumption.
The WHO has emphasized that harmful alcohol use can lead to dependence and increase the risk of developing various diseases, including liver cirrhosis and certain cancers. The organization's report also highlighted the impact of heavy episodic drinking or 'binge-drinking', which is most harmful to health and disproportionately affects lower-income groups who may lack access to quality healthcare and community support. With alcohol consumption on the rise in the UAE, there is a growing concern for the health and well-being of its residents.
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The UAE's drinking habits lead to a high rate of liver cirrhosis
Alcohol consumption in the UAE is almost double the global average, with drinkers consuming 32.8 litres of pure alcohol equivalent per year per person. This puts UAE drinkers in the highest health risk categories, according to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The report also revealed that the UAE had the highest consumption in the GCC, with Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi, and Kuwait following.
The WHO report further highlighted the health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption, including liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver is damaged, preventing it from functioning properly. Alcohol-related liver disease, or ALD, can manifest in several stages, including fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. About 90% of people who regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol develop fatty liver disease, which can even occur after just two weeks of heavy drinking.
The UAE's high alcohol consumption has led to a significant impact on the prevalence of liver cirrhosis in the country. The Age-Standardisation Death Rate (ASDR) due to liver cirrhosis in the UAE is 14.5 per 100,000 people aged 15 and over, with an Alcohol-Attributable Fraction (AAF) of 27.95%. This indicates that alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor to liver cirrhosis in the country.
The link between alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis is well-established. Studies have shown that the risk of liver cirrhosis increases with higher levels of alcohol consumption. Daily drinking has been associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis compared to less frequent consumption. Additionally, consuming five or more drinks per day has been linked to a substantially increased risk of cirrhosis in both women and men.
The UAE's drinking habits, characterised by high alcohol consumption, have undoubtedly contributed to the high rate of liver cirrhosis in the country. The excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to ALD, which encompasses a spectrum of liver damage, including cirrhosis. The best treatment for alcohol-related liver disease is abstinence from alcohol, followed by specific treatments to reduce liver inflammation and, in severe cases, liver transplantation.
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Frequently asked questions
The global average alcohol consumption per person is 17 litres per year.
Drinkers in the UAE consume 32.8 litres of pure alcohol per year, almost double the global average.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol dependence and increase the risk of developing various diseases, including liver cirrhosis and certain types of cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.3 million deaths worldwide in 2012 were attributed to harmful alcohol use.
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