Europeans Are the World’s Heaviest Drinkers: How do Countries Compare?
Alcohol consumption is a widely enjoyed pastime across the globe. While moderate drinking offers some potential health benefits, drinking to excess can be detrimental to both physical and mental health. Drinking too much can be detrimental to individuals, but it can also lead to social issues like alcohol-related violence, accidents, and even economic difficulties.
In recent years, data has come to light confirming that Europeans have the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world. Exposure to an abundance of marketing campaigns, combined with a widespread perception that alcohol consumption is socially acceptable, means that more and more Europeans are turning to alcohol consumption as a form of entertainment. How do different European countries compare in terms of alcohol consumption?
What is the Average Alcohol Consumption Across Europe?
According to the World Health Organization statistics, the estimated average weekly alcohol consumption per capita for adults in Europe is around 10.6 liters in 2019, which is approximately equal to 138.2 units or 216 pints of beer. This adds up to around 5040 pints per adult per year.
Even accounting for the fact that alcoholic beverages vary significantly in terms of strength, this is significantly higher than the average across other regions of the world. This statistic puts Europe firmly on course to become the world’s heaviest drinking region when compared to other continents.
What are the Highest and Lowest Alcohol Consumers in Europe?
- Lithuania – The Highest-Ranking Alcohol Consumer
There are several countries across Europe that lead the charge in terms of weekly alcohol consumption. Lithuania topped the ranking with an average adult consuming around 18.2 liters of alcoholic beverages each week. That’s equal to around 24.6 bottles of vodka per adult each week.
- Israel – the Lowest-Ranking Alcohol Consumer
At the other end of the spectrum is Israel, recording the lowest levels of alcohol consumption. Adults in this region have an average weekly consumption of 0.7 liters, which would be equal to approximately one tenth of the weekly alcohol intake in Lithuania.
Which European Countries Have Fallen Prey to Heavy Drinking Habits?
- Portugal – The Highest-Ranking Alcohol Consumer in Western Europe
Portugal has the highest adult alcohol consumption in Western Europe, with an average of 14 litres of pure alcohol per week. This figure is still a far cry from the maximum levels observed in Lithuania, but it is significantly higher than during the 1990s when the weekly consumption in Portugal was around 8 litres.
- Italy – a Closely Governed Alcohol Consumption Market
Italy, another Western European country, is a close second. The average alcohol intake for Italian adults is 13.7 litres a week, largely attributed to the country’s high number of wine producers. Italian authorities have managed to regulate alcohol consumption more effectively than in some other countries, evidenced by the relatively constant levels of alcohol intake there over the past decade.
- Croatia – Excessive Alcohol Consumption on the Rise
In Croatia, higher levels of alcohol consumption have been observed in recent years. In 2010, the average weekly alcohol intake was around 11 litres and this has risen to 13 litres in 2019. This can mostly be attributed to the country’s hospitality industry; Croatia is well-known for its thriving tourism and hospitality sector, accounting for a large part of its economic activity and employing vast numbers of people.
- Hungary – The Highest Alcohol Consumption in Central Europe
Hungary is the highest alcohol consuming country in Central Europe, recording an average weekly alcohol intake of 14.3 litres in 2019. This figure is even higher than in most Western European countries. Again, the hospitality industry is to blame here – Hungarians are known for their love of wine, beer, and spirits and this feeds into their high alcohol intake.
Are There any Countries with Low Alcohol Consumption?
- Sweden – The Lowest-Ranking Alcohol Consumer in Europe
Sweden has the lowest adult alcohol consumption of any country in Europe, with an average weekly consumption of 7.1 litres in 2019. This figure is a mere 0.2 litres higher than in 1998, when Swedish alcohol consumption was at the lowest recorded levels in the country.
- Finland – Effectively Regulating Alcohol Consumption
Finland is another country where the authorities have managed to regulate alcohol consumption effectively. Since the early 2000s, average adult weekly alcohol consumption has declined in Finland, with an average intake of 8.5 litres in 2019. This is significantly lower than the peak of 11.7 litres in 2006.
- Norway – An Official Declaration of Moderation
Norway has seen its adult alcohol consumption significantly decline over the past decades. Its annual figures dropped from an average of 10.1 litres in 2006 to 7.9 litres in 2019. This is largely a result of an official declaration of moderation by the Norwegian authorities, aiming to target binge drinking in particular.
It is clear then, that Europeans are indeed the heaviest drinkers in the world. This is a concerning epidemic that is increasingly causing more problems in society. Alcohol consumption varies significantly between countries, with Eastern European countries leading the charge in terms of levels of consumption while Western and Central European countries struggle to keep their consumption levels in check. Nevertheless, there are some European countries that have managed to regulate and reduce adult alcohol consumption effectively.
It is evident that European countries need to work even harder on initiatives to reduce alcohol consumption throughout the continent. Education on sensible drinking habits, a ban on alcohol-related advertising and increased taxes on alcohol are amongst some of the measures that could be taken to ensure that the alcohol consumption levels of Europeans begin to decline rather than increase.
