Ten countries that drink the most. Which country in the world is the most drinking?

According to a long-established stereotype, it is generally accepted that Russians, Irish and English are the most drinking nations in the world. But annual research shows a completely different picture. The nations listed are not even among the top five countries whose population drinks the most. The most drinking countries in the world in 2015 - who is ahead of the rest of the planet in the consumption of alcoholic beverages? More about this in our article.

It must be said that there are many points of view regarding alcoholic beverages. Some doctors are categorical in their opinion that alcohol is evil. Others point out that when drinking it, it is important to observe moderation, and then wine, for example, can even act as a healing agent. Be that as it may, the number of alcohol abusers in many states exceeds all permissible standards, which cannot but worry.

10 Slovenia and Denmark

The tenth place among the most drinking countries in the world in 2015 is shared by Slovenia And Denmark. Here the population consumes 10.6 liters of alcoholic beverages per year. Residents of these countries hold beer in high esteem, and wine comes in second place. In the Slovenian city of Maribor there are the oldest vineyards in Europe, which are more than 400 years old - Stara trta. Well, Denmark is known throughout the world for its Tuborg and Carlsberg beer brands.

In ninth place as the most drinking country is Russia, which is famous for its vineyards. 10.8 liters - this is how much alcohol the average resident over the age of 15 drinks here per year.

8 Spain and Portugal

Next come Portugal with an indicator of 11.4 liters of alcoholic products per year. The hot sun allows these countries to grow excellent vineyards. Therefore, wine consumption comes first in these two drinking states. In second place in popularity is beer, which costs much less than wine.

Spain ranks third in the world in wine production, but in terms of total vineyard area it ranks first. About 90 varieties of grapes are grown here.

The average Irish person drinks 11.6 liters of alcohol per year. Thus, Ireland did not make it into the top five drinking countries in the world. Guinness, the most famous dark beer in the world, is produced here. In addition, Ireland is famous for several types of whiskey. But alcohol is quite expensive here - a pint of beer can cost up to two euros, and the price of a bottle of whiskey reaches 25 euros.

In sixth place among the most drinking countries is. Yes, we still ended up on this not very pleasant list. Russians on average consume about 15 liters of alcohol per person per year. The most popular strong drinks among Russian residents are vodka and beer. Researchers note that from year to year there are more and more people choosing wine over alcoholic products.

Lithuania, where 16.30 liters of alcoholic beverages are consumed per year, ranks fifth in the list of the most drinking countries in 2015.

Did you know that Lithuanian mead is an ancient alcoholic drink based on honey, yeast and water? Lithuania produces three varieties of mead and a variety of honey nectars, tinctures and balms.

The fourth position in terms of the amount of alcohol consumption (16.47 liters) was taken by.

Beer in the Czech Republic has a long and rich history. Pilsner, Radegast and Velkopopovicky Kozel are the most famous brands of Czech brewers in the world. Beer production here began in the 12th century thanks to the Celts. The drink became so popular that after a few years it was brewed in almost every home. Winemaking is also developed in the country. Now this is the most promising sector of agriculture in the Czech Republic. Most of the vineyards are located in Moravia, which is why Czech wines are also called Moravian.

In Prague you can try almost all local varieties of wine and beer - there are a large number of pubs and bars in the capital of the country.

The third place in the list of countries whose population consumed alcohol most in 2015 belongs to Estonia. Tallinn has been repeatedly recognized as the most calm, cultural and romantic European city. However, 17.24 liters of alcoholic beverages are consumed here per year. In the Old Town, the historical center of Tallinn, you can not only admire the ancient buildings, but also spend an evening in the most famous local restaurant, Olde Hansa, whose furnishings are stylized as the Middle Ages. Candles, oak tables and food that knights could eat in ancient times - in such an atmosphere the hand itself reaches for a mug of ale. In the absence of it, beer will do.

Second on the list of countries where alcohol is consumed the most is. 17.47 liters - this is how much its residents drink on average per year. The country is known for its national product - vodka, known since the 17th century. At least, documentary evidence about Ukrainian vodka, which was then called “hot wine,” dates back to that time. There are producers of high-quality alcoholic products in Ukraine that have proven themselves well in the world. First of all, this is Khortytsia, Nemiroff. The most famous product of this brand is “Ukrainian Honey with Pepper” vodka.

It took first place in the list of the most drinking countries. According to WHO, this year the country's per capita alcohol consumption was 17.5 liters. It should be noted that the researchers were unable to obtain data on moonshine, so the actual data is higher than the announced official figures. Belarus thus became the most drinking country in the world in 2015.

Critical norm of alcohol consumption according to WHO and the world average

Meanwhile, the critical norm of alcohol consumption per year per person, according to WHO, is 8 liters. If we take the world average for alcohol consumption, it is approximately 6 liters of alcohol per year per person.

What do people drink in different countries?

It should be taken into account that different types of alcoholic beverages are consumed in different regions of the world. In France, Portugal and Spain they drink mostly wine. Beer and wine are equally held in high esteem in countries such as Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium and Switzerland. The further north a country is located, the more strong alcoholic beverages are consumed. These include: Czech Republic, Canada, Slovakia, Denmark, USA, Great Britain, Finland, Russia, Japan, Norway.

Did you know that about 48% of the world's population have never touched alcoholic beverages in their lives?

Lies about alcohol

Unfortunately, there are dangerous myths among Russians about the benefits of drinking alcohol:

Lie No. 1. Wine drinking is traditional in Russia.
Lie #2: Moderate amounts of alcohol are good for you.
Lie #3: Alcohol warms the body.
Lie #4: Alcohol causes sleep.
Lie #5: Alcohol improves immunity.
Lie #6: Alcohol gives you courage.
Lie #7: Alcohol does not cause alcoholism.
Lie No. 8. Alcohol does not damage male reproductive cells.
Lie #9: Alcohol does not permanently damage female reproductive cells throughout life.
Lie No. 10. If an alcoholic abstains from alcohol for a year, she will give birth to healthy offspring.

All of these statements are completely or partially false. The negative effects of drinking alcohol are much more serious than the controversial positive effects.

The World Health Organization (WHO) deals with alcohol consumption statistics at the global level. The organization conducts a large-scale study of this problem every five years. The latest analytical report on this topic was published by WHO in 2014.

In the European tradition there is no such stigma as “alcoholics”. They usually talk about “people who have problems with alcohol.” The figure cited is 10-15% of people from the entire population who have such problems of varying severity.

There is no drug registration of alcoholics in Europe, so it is impossible to name the percentage of alcoholics in our understanding of this phrase.

Europeans are the heaviest drinkers in the world. It is logical to assume that in countries with a large amount of alcohol consumed, a larger percentage of people dependent on alcohol and a shorter life expectancy. However, statistical data show that there is no strict relationship between these factors.

The transformation of alcohol use into abuse is influenced by indirect factors, namely:

People's standard of living.
Drinking culture.
Types of alcoholic beverages that the population predominantly consumes.
Attitude towards patients with alcoholism.

Alcoholism is generally accepted to be characteristic of social groups with low status, education and income. Of course, alcoholism also affects prosperous members of society, for example, those belonging to show business and the entertainment industry. However, these cases are isolated and, like any exceptions, only confirm the general rule. A high standard of living is associated with a well-paid job, certain obligations, and a corresponding circle of acquaintances. Taken together, these factors do not initially suggest alcohol abuse.

The drinking culture that exists in European countries also prevents people from slipping into abuse. It is customary there to drink in bars and pubs, and drinking does not become an end in itself, but accompanies spending time in pleasant company.

It should also be taken into account that alcohol in European countries is not cheap and is several times higher than the cost of domestic alcoholic drinks.

This applies to both regular vodka and branded drinks. The high price puts barriers to drinking. Connoisseurs of quality alcoholic beverages drink a little.

The types of alcoholic beverages consumed influence the alcoholization of the population. In theory, over long periods of time, alcoholism can be formed by drinking beer, wine, or any other drink. However, the abuse of strong alcoholic drinks makes the formation of alcoholism faster and more aggressive. For example, in Moldova, with one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption (mainly in the form of wine), life expectancy is one of the highest in Europe.

Finally, the attitude towards people with alcoholism in Europe is characterized by humanity and the promotion of their inclusion in the surrounding life. For this purpose, there are Alcoholics Anonymous groups, various trainings and psychotherapeutic courses that help addicted people not to feel like useless outcasts. A high level of socio-psychological assistance to patients with alcoholism prevents relapses and promotes the socialization of patients with alcoholism; they are helped by:

Get a job.
Create a family.
In difficult situations.

In general, it can be noted that in Europe the problem of alcoholism is not considered a priority. European society is more concerned about the treatment of somatic diseases that result from drinking alcohol in any quantity.

Situation in Russia

It is a deep misconception that people drink more in Russia than anywhere else. They drink a lot, but at the same time there are countries where they drink more. The erroneous opinion about the extreme spread of alcoholism in Russia is formed against the background of the general situation with alcohol consumption, which in Russia has its own local specifics:

The listed nuances of drinking alcohol in Russia determine what is called the national drinking habit.

With regard to alcoholism, it is difficult to talk about objective figures. First, not all countries keep official records of alcohol abusers.

Secondly, even where it is carried out, for example, in Russia, it is difficult to understand to what extent the official figures reflect the real picture: after all, in addition to those registered at the drug treatment clinic, a significant portion of abusers are not included in these statistics.

It has been proven that in societies where alcoholic beverages are publicly available, the percentage of people seeking treatment for addiction is stable at 2%. The indicator may fluctuate at the level of statistical error from country to country.

Percentage of people with “alcohol problems”, i.e. of abusers who have not yet sought medical help for their addiction is stable and ranges from 10% to 15%. This indicator is universal in nature and is true for all countries and societies in which alcohol is freely sold.

If these percentages are translated into the number of people using Russia as an example, we get the following picture. The first figure, indicating those who are registered or have sought medical help for addiction, is equal to 2.8 million people. The second figure, indicating the number of people who have “problems with alcohol” or abuse alcohol, is 14-21 million people.

For the European Union, with a population of 500 million people, these figures are 10 million and 51-76 million people, respectively.

Despite the fact that the first places in the leaders in alcohol consumption are confidently and traditionally occupied by European countries, the attitude of European residents towards alcohol is heterogeneous and differentiated according to country.

Let's look at the states that are in the top five with the highest per capita alcohol consumption. Data based on 2014 WHO report.

Belarus:

The country with the most drinking population: 17.5 liters of alcohol equivalent per capita per year.
26.5% of the population drinks alcohol.
The share of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 34.7%.
Life expectancy – 72.1 g.

16.8 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.
32.2% of the population drinks alcohol.
The share of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 33.1%.
Life expectancy – 81.4 g.

Life expectancy – 73.9 g.
The share of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 30.9%.
36.7% of the population drinks alcohol.
15.4 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.

15.1 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.
19.3% of the population drinks alcohol.
The share of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 30.5%.
Life expectancy – 70.5 g.

14.4 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.
7.9% of the population drinks alcohol.
The share of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 8.9%.
Life expectancy – 68.7 g.

The top ten countries with the highest alcohol consumption also included other countries from central and eastern Europe:

Ukraine (13.9 l).
Andorra (13.8 l).
Hungary (13.3 l).
Czech Republic (13 l).
Slovakia (13 l).

Economically developed countries are ranked in the following positions:

18th place - France (12.2 l).
23rd place - Germany (11.8 l).
25th place - Great Britain (11.6 l).
42nd place - the Netherlands (9.9 l).
48th place - USA (9.2 l).
141st place - Israel (2.8 l)

When they talk about mortality from alcoholism, they mean a complex of causes associated with alcohol abuse. This:

Accidents – 29.6%.
Oncological diseases – 21.6%.
Liver cirrhosis – 16.6%.
Cardiovascular diseases – 14%.
Other reasons – 18.2%.

On average, 4% of deaths worldwide each year are caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This corresponds to 2.5 million people.

There is a consistent upward trend in the incidence of alcohol dependence throughout the world. The World Health Organization cannot stand aside, since alcoholism provokes deadly diseases that claim the lives of many people every year.

Every year this organization publishes a ranking of the most drinking countries in the world. The volume of alcohol consumption per capita is taken into account (the population is taken with the exception of citizens under 15 years of age, and ethanol is counted in its pure form). Of course, only legally sold alcoholic beverages are subject to registration.

Positions in the ranking change from year to year, but, as a rule, the same countries are included in it. These are European states and countries of the post-Soviet space. Despite the widespread belief that Russia is a territory of rampant drunkenness, it is not even among the top three.

Of course, the level of alcohol consumption in the Russian Federation is quite high, but we are quite seriously ahead of our neighbors - the Baltic countries and other states of the post-Soviet space.

Belarus, Ukraine

In Belarus, alcohol consumption is approximately 17.5 liters of alcohol annually. Almost half of the residents prefer vodka and other strong drinks, about 17% drink mainly beer.

Of course, official data does not reflect the true level of drunkenness, since the tradition of artisanal alcohol production in this country is quite widespread. In this regard, the government is now developing and implementing programs to combat drunkenness.

In Ukraine, according to official data, they consume almost the same amount of alcoholic beverages – 17.4 liters. Residents of this country prefer their national drink, vodka, as well as beer. Ukrainians also drink wine, mostly locally produced.

The circulation of alcohol and alcohol-containing products in Ukraine is almost not regulated by the state, alcohol laws are imperfect, so the country is experiencing a persistent tendency towards an increase in alcoholism among young people and adolescents.

Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia

The Baltic states remain the traditional leaders of the alcohol hit parade. In 2016, Lithuania was in first place.

Latvia and Estonia drink less, but regularly make it into the top three.

In 2016, 17.2 liters of alcohol per capita were consumed in Estonia. These people prefer beer, as well as their signature drink - the strong liqueur “Old Tallinn” (Vana Tallinn).

Today, in the Baltic countries, serious government measures are being taken against the growth of alcohol consumption: the age at which you can legally purchase alcohol is increasing, a ban on advertising has been introduced, and temporary restrictions have been established on the sale of alcoholic products.

Czech Republic, Poland

The Czech Republic has ancient brewing traditions; many original varieties of this drink are produced and consumed here. Becherovka, a strong herbal liqueur, is also popular.

Alcohol consumption per capita is approximately 16.4 liters.

Poland entered the top ten not so long ago, but in recent years there has been a pronounced trend towards increasing alcohol consumption.

Russia

In Russia, many residents prefer the national drink - vodka. Russians do not disdain other strong drinks; they also love weak alcohol – beer, wine.

Per capita consumption is about 15 liters per year.

Russia may not be among the top three, but the numbers are disappointing - Russians drink a lot. It is a myth that this is a national tradition.

Drunkards were encountered at all times, but the attitude towards them was sharply negative. The policy of the 90s, when the circulation of alcohol-containing products was practically not controlled by the state, led to widespread drunkenness and an increase in the number of people suffering from alcohol addiction. Today in Russia serious measures are being taken to combat alcoholism.

South Korea

Asia is considered a relatively sober region, but one state is included in the WHO alcohol-related top ten. South Korea is recognized as the heaviest drinking state in the region.

Residents also prefer the national drink - rice vodka; they also like locally produced weaker alcohol - fruit-based wines, beer.

Traditionally, most South Koreans end their workday in bars and other drinking establishments. On the streets of Seoul and other cities in the evening you can meet many drunk people, but the Asian mentality and upbringing do not allow Koreans to behave disgracefully.

United Kingdom

England and other parts of the United Kingdom have long been considered the hardest drinking countries in Europe.

In Ireland and Scotland, whiskey is considered the national drink, of which a large number of varieties are produced. The English and Welsh prefer ale, beer, and will not refuse whiskey and gin (the popular English brand of Beefeater gin).

People drink a lot in this country, and the tradition of going to one of the many pubs after finishing the working day continues. On weekends, Britons, especially young people, get absolutely drunk, and you can see very drunk people on the streets.

Here you can legally drink alcohol in public places, and you can also drink while driving, albeit within certain limits.

Germany

This country has one of the oldest brewing traditions, and lovers of the foamy drink pay tribute to German beer. It is thanks to intoxication that the level of alcohol consumption in Germany is about 12 liters per year.

Stronger drinks, which are called “schnaps,” are also respected here. Initially, this word was used to describe moonshine, obtained by distilling potato-based mash. Today, many types of it are produced, which the Germans consider their national drink along with beer.

France, Italy

These states are wine regions where the tradition of making and consuming alcohol dates back to ancient times. These countries grow the bulk of grapes in Europe; the area of vineyards in France is about 60 million hectares, in Italy - about the same.

The level of alcohol consumption is high, so the rating of drinking countries, of course, cannot do without them. However, the tradition of use here is strikingly different from the Russian and post-Soviet countries.

In France and Italy they drink mainly wine. They drink it during the day, at lunch, often in diluted form.

Portugal, Spain

In the Iberian Peninsula, the tradition of winemaking is almost as ancient as in France and Italy. Many types of wines are produced here, including fortified ones (the most famous are port and Madeira).

The Portuguese and Spaniards consume about 11.5 liters of alcohol annually.

Hungary, Denmark, Slovenia

In Denmark and Slovenia, consumption is 10.5 liters each, in Hungary – 10.8 liters of alcohol. The Danes prefer beer as much as the Hungarians. The second most popular item is wine.

Hungary is famous for its wine region - the Tokaj Mountains, where the wine of the same name is produced.

In Slovenia they also grow grapes and make wine. Only a fifth of the population prefers strong drinks in these countries; the rest of the population drinks mostly weak alcohol.

Australia

In this country, alcohol is consumed mainly by the local population, the indigenous inhabitants of the continent. Most often, preference is given to beer; among the natives there are many people dependent on alcohol. This forces the government to take quite strict measures, such as forced addiction treatment.

Drinking alcohol in Australia is a tradition dating back to British colonial times. At that time, strong alcohol, mainly rum, was often used for mutual payments and used as currency. Since then, many Australians have followed the tradition of drinking alcohol in large quantities.

Today, government measures to combat alcoholism are yielding results - the popularity of alcohol is falling.

Uganda

Uganda is recognized as the drinkingiest African country. Residents of this state prefer strong drinks, as well as locally produced beer.

The most popular spirits are Uganda Waragi gin and Bond7 whiskey. Alcohol is sold everywhere here, there are no time restrictions, so most Ugandans drink it.

According to WHO, about 60% of the world's population does not consume alcohol at all. Traditionally, Muslim states are considered non-drinkers, where drinking alcohol is prohibited for religious reasons.

Prohibition was introduced in 41 countries, and quite strict restrictions on the sale of alcohol were introduced in another 40 countries. Temperance laws of varying degrees of severity apply in India, China, most Asian and African countries, Turkey, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Turkmenistan.

Alcohol is least common among those professing Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Yemen, the UAE, and Pakistan are considered the most sober countries.

In Arab countries, drinking and selling alcohol can result in very severe punishment, including flogging, caning, and even the death penalty.

Measures to combat drunkenness

The highest positions in the ranking of drinking countries are occupied by secular states. And the Christian religion, various branches of which are professed by the majority of Europeans, does not prohibit drinking alcohol, and even uses it in rituals. Therefore, effective methods of struggle used in Islamic states are not suitable for “drinking” countries.

Excessive alcohol consumption is a serious problem that needs to be addressed at all levels. On the part of the state, the following measures are considered the most effective:

age restrictions for purchasing alcohol;
ban on all types of advertising;
control over the circulation of alcoholic products and state regulation of prices.

A very important preventive measure is educational activities aimed at familiarizing people (mainly young people and adolescents) with how alcohol affects the body and what the medical and social consequences of alcohol abuse are.

Contrary to stereotypes, Russia is by no means the world leader in alcohol consumption. The level of alcohol consumption per capita is currently even falling. This is due both to the anti-alcohol measures taken by the state over the past few years, and to the growth in Russia of the number of people who are prohibited by faith. Our country is not even among the top ten, ranking only 16th in alcohol consumption per capita.

Russia is traditionally considered one of the most drinking countries in the world. Along with the balalaika and the bear, among the symbols of Russia, according to foreigners, is vodka - the Russian national drink.

Alcohol rating of countries

The top 20 heaviest drinkers in the world, according to WHO, are currently as follows: Austria is in 20th place, where they annually drink 13.24 liters of ethanol per year per capita. Meanwhile, Slovakia took 19th position with 13.33 liters. Great Britain and Denmark share 18th place in this dubious competition. Poland is in 17th place (13.25 liters), Russia is in 16th place (13.50).

Alcohol, along with other psychoactive substances, has been used by humans since primitive times. At first it was part of shamanic rituals, then it began to be used for recreational purposes, as an appetite stimulant and antiseptic.

France, Ireland (as well as Russia, which has earned its reputation as a heavy-drinking country), Portugal and South Korea also did not make it into the top ten with 13.66, 14.41, 14.55 and 14.80 liters, respectively. The ten most active consumers of strong drinks include Lithuania (15.03 liters per year), Croatia (15.11), Belarus (15.13), Slovenia (15.19), Romania (15.30), Andorra (15. 48), Estonia (15.57) and Ukraine (15.60). The top three were Hungary (16.27), the Czech Republic (16.45) and Moldova (18.22).

Numbers and reality

These, however, do not mean that the problem is less acute where they consume fewer liters per year per year, and more acute among the leaders in absolute consumption. For example, in the second-ranked Czech Republic, a large percentage of the population drinks, but relatively few abuse alcohol. The most favorite drink, as you know, is beer. In countries such as Russia, France and the UK, the number of liters per capita is lower, but strong drinks are very popular. In addition, in these states there is a fairly large percentage of the Muslim population who does not drink for religious reasons, while the amount of alcohol consumed is calculated based on the total population. Thus, not everyone drinks here, but those who do are prone to abuse.

Surely many have heard the statement that the heaviest drinkers live in Russia. But if you examine alcohol consumption by country, a rather interesting picture emerges. It turns out that due to historical moments and national traditions, the problem of alcohol is acute in many countries.

Key Causes of Alcoholism

Before moving on to statistics, it is worth understanding what exactly makes people drink. Here are the main reasons:

Urbanization. People who cannot cope with the pressure of the fast pace of life in a big city are increasingly relaxing with a glass of alcohol.
Economic, political and social problems, as well as natural disasters. Modern man, without realizing it, is in constant fear for his life and well-being. As a rule, alcohol is used as a sedative.
Low prices for alcohol. Due to illiterate government policy in the field of pricing control, alcohol is becoming affordable. Probably everyone has heard the life joke that a bottle of beer costs less than a bottle of milk.

Uganda

Among African countries, the most disappointing indicators of alcohol consumption are recorded in Uganda. The majority of the population drinks a strange banana-based drink, which most likely will not appeal to foreign tourists. Previously, this recipe was used to maintain the morale of warriors. Another popular drink in Uganda is Ajono. This is a fermented beer that locals like to drink through a thin straw.

Italy

We can say that Italians drink relatively little - about 8 liters per person per year. Mass production of wine made this drink part of the national culture. Each meal must be accompanied by a glass. Wine is also given to children from an early age in a diluted form.

Australia

Australians consume about 9-10 liters of strong alcohol annually. Alcohol addiction is a historical feature. The fact is that in ancient times, strong rum was a real monetary currency, which was actively used for settlement in trade operations and transactions. When Australia was a British colony, people considered drinking quite common and even normal. Now alcohol is gradually losing popularity in the country. Nevertheless, many people honor the tradition of drinking until they pass out.

Denmark

When looking at alcohol consumption by country, it is not surprising why Denmark made the top spot. Each citizen of the state drinks almost 10.7 liters of strong alcoholic drinks annually. Wine and beer are especially popular here. As a rule, addiction begins to form in adolescence (from about 15 years old). The situation is not catastrophic, but alarming. It is believed that the Danes still drink little, since alcohol is expensive in the country.

United Kingdom

Just over 10 liters of spirits are consumed annually by every Briton. It is believed that with the first glass they drink, they lose their sense of proportion. It is therefore not surprising that the number of people suffering from liver cirrhosis has increased significantly over the past decade. And all because alcohol in the UK can be consumed around the clock, pubs and bars also have flexible opening hours.

Spain

Alcohol consumption varies across countries. For example, in Spain there are 11.4 liters of strong alcohol per person annually. This is usually port, wine and beer. People's addiction to alcohol is due to two factors. The first is developed winemaking. Thanks to large areas of plantations, Spain has taken third place in the world in wine production. The second reason is hot weather. During siesta, Spaniards like to quench their thirst with cold beer with ice. In the evening, multi-ingredient cocktails are in demand.

Finland

Boasting impressive volumes of consumption of strong alcohol, the conditions of almost year-round cold are not at all easy. Low air temperatures and lack of sunlight encourage people to seek solace in alcohol. Alcoholism is the leading cause of death in this country. The majority of cardiovascular diseases and cancer in people aged 15 to 70 years are caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Despite the fact that the authorities are strenuously fighting this problem and introducing all kinds of restrictive measures, the common people seem to ignore them.

Germany

When looking at alcohol consumption by country, you cannot ignore Germany. There are about 12 liters of strong alcohol per person per year. Of course, beer occupies the most impressive share. This drink is sold literally everywhere. Even at newsstands. And it is quite inexpensive by local standards. In Germany there is no ban on drinking alcohol in public places, and beer festivals are often held.

France

In France, alcohol consumption per capita is about 14 liters. Despite the fact that red wine is considered the main drink of sophisticated French people, cheaper beer is in first place in consumption. But still, you shouldn’t write off the grape drink. The French love it and are great at it. Good red wine is considered an integral part of the daily meal.

Czech Republic

Alcohol consumption in the world is constantly growing. The Czech Republic is approximately on the same level as France. Residents of the country revere and actively drink their national treasure - Becherovka. Beer is also part of the Czech culture. It is here that drinks from world famous brands are produced (for example, Velkopopovetsky Kozel, Pilsner and others). The wine industry is also developing thanks to extensive plantations in Moravia.

Russia

Alcohol consumption in Russia is about 15 liters per person. The main share falls on vodka. In second place is beer. Russia's entry into the country is also due to the price of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are several times cheaper than, for example, in Europe. Fortunately, thanks to government policy, the population’s craving for alcohol is gradually decreasing. The population's interest in high-quality wine, which is less harmful to health than vodka, is also growing.

Ukraine

When studying the most drinking countries, one cannot help but mention Ukraine. Here, there are about 17 liters of alcohol per person per year. The whole problem lies in the weak regulatory policy of the state regarding the alcohol market. Low prices and availability of alcohol - all this causes people to become addicted to alcohol from a young age. In addition, there are many enterprises producing alcoholic beverages in the country. Vodka is in first place in popularity. The second is beer, and the third is wine.

Belarus

In 2016, Belarus took first place in the ranking of “The Most Drinking Countries in the World.” Each resident of the country consumes almost 18 liters of alcohol per year. It is worth noting that alcohol was not taken into account when compiling the statistics. And moonshine, as you know, is a problem in Belarus and other post-Soviet countries.

Who drinks the least

Alcohol consumption statistics over the past few years indicate that Yemen is the least-drinking country. There are several milliliters per capita per year. And all because Islam, which the overwhelming majority of the population professes, prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages, even to the point of punishment under Sharia law. Somalia, Pakistan, Kuwait, Libya and other Muslim countries near Yemen also have low drinking rates.

Conclusion

The World Health Organization has been ranking countries by alcohol consumption for many years in a row. The limit value is 8 liters per capita per year. It is believed that if such an indicator persists for several years, we are talking about genetic alcoholism. This problem can cause problems with the health and mental development of future generations. At the moment, most European countries are at risk.