Alcohol consumption varies significantly across countries and is influenced by a combination of factors, including local laws, cultural norms, and other unique characteristics. The World Health Organization (WHO) has meticulously documented the alcohol consumption in liters of pure alcohol per capita for different alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and spirits in each country. For instance, a handle of vodka (1.75 liters) contains approximately 300 milliliters of pure alcohol, while a standard 12oz beer or 5oz glass of wine contains about 0.6 oz (0.0178 liters/17.8 ml) of pure alcohol.
The WHO’s data for 2019 revealed the top 10 countries with the highest alcohol consumption per capita in liters of pure alcohol:
1. Czechia – 14.26
2. Latvia – 13.19
3. Moldova – 12.85
4. Germany – 12.79
5. Lithuania – 12.78
6. Ireland – 12.75
7. Spain – 12.67
8. Uganda – 12.48
9. Bulgaria – 12.46
10. Luxembourg – 12.45
According to this data, Czechia held the first position, with an average individual consuming approximately 14.26 liters of pure alcohol. Latvia and Moldova closely followed, with 13.19 and 12.85 liters per capita, respectively. The list consists of 38 countries with an annual pure alcohol consumption above 10 liters, predominantly situated in Europe.
In contrast, the United States had an average alcohol consumption of 9.97 liters of pure alcohol per person in 2019, placing it at the 39th spot, significantly higher than the global average of 5.8 liters. However, it’s essential to note that alcohol consumption within the United States varies considerably among its states. The country enforces a strict minimum drinking age of 21 in most locations.
On the other end of the spectrum, the WHO recorded the top 10 countries with the lowest alcohol consumption in 2019:
1. Somalia, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia (5-way tie) – 0.00
2. Afghanistan – 0.013
3. Libya – 0.027
4. Yemen – 0.034
5. Egypt – 0.14
6. Syrian Arab Republic – 0.19
7. Bhutan – 0.21
8. Indonesia – 0.22
9. Pakistan – 0.31
10. Djibouti – 0.36
These countries, predominantly located in the Middle East, exhibit significantly low alcohol consumption levels, largely due to the influence of religions in the region that generally discourage or prohibit alcohol consumption.
In summary, the data on alcohol consumption around the world highlights the diverse cultural, legal, and societal factors that contribute to varying drinking habits among different nations.
