In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 countries with the highest rates of alcoholism. You can skip our detailed analysis of the economic cost of alcohol consumption, the effect of taxes on alcohol abuse, various CSR initiatives to promote responsible drinking, and the use of ketamine to treat alcohol use disorder, and go directly to 5 Countries with Highest Rates of Alcoholism.
Alcoholism is the most severe form of alcohol abuse and involves the inability to manage drinking habits. The term ‘alcoholism’ is actually a mainstream expression used to describe a disease known medically as ‘alcohol use disorder’ – characterized by the abuse of and dependency on alcohol.
Alcohol use disorder is organized into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe, depending on the number of symptoms expressed by the patient. There are several treatments available for alcoholism, including counseling, medications, and possibly medically assisted detoxification to help the individual safely stop drinking.
Economic Cost of Alcohol Consumption:
A recent worldwide overview showed that the economic costs of harm due to alcohol amounted to $1306 per adult, or 2.6% of the global GDP. About 38.8% of these are incurred as direct costs, while an approximate 61.2% were due to the losses in productivity.
As we stated in our article – 30 Drunkest Cities in America in 2023 – excessive use of alcohol costs the U.S. economy almost $250 billion per year. The federal government picks up roughly $100 billion of the tab, largely through Medicare and Medicaid payments.
The Effect of Taxes on Alcohol Abuse:
Over the last two decades, a growing number of economists have examined the impact of alcohol beverage taxes and prices on alcohol consumption and heavy drinking. Several of these studies have focused on high-risk populations, such as youth and young adults, including college students.
This research, using a variety of different data and empirical approaches, has generally found that an increase in the prices of alcoholic beverages led to reductions in drinking, heavy drinking, and the consequences of alcohol use and abuse. These findings indicate that a rise in alcoholic-beverage taxes could be a highly effective option for reducing alcohol abuse and its consequences.
According to a study conducted by the NCD Advisory Council’s signature initiative working group, if countries of the WHO European Region were to introduce a minimum level of 15% tax on the retail price per unit of alcohol, regardless of the type of alcoholic beverage, it would save 133,000 lives each year.
Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives:
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) is the Largest Beer Producer in the World and the company launched its Global Smart Drinking Goals initiative in order to make a tangible contribution to the reduction of harmful use of alcohol globally.
As part of the initiative, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) has committed to investing at least $1 billion across its markets in dedicated social marketing campaigns and programs to influence social norms and individual behaviors to reduce harmful use of alcohol. Another goal is to ensure that low- or no-alcohol beer products make up at least 20% of the global beer volume of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) by 2025.
Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has also committed to promote positive drinking through its ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ Action Plan. The plan aims to leverage Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) marketing and innovation to make moderation the norm and reach 1 billion people with dedicated responsible drinking messaging. DRINKiQ is a dedicated responsible drinking online platform by Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) that provides facts about alcohol, the effects of drinking on the body and the mind, and the impact of harmful drinking on individuals and society.
Ketamine Intervention to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder:
Recent evidence suggests that ketamine may be an effective intervention to treat alcohol use disorder and alcoholic withdrawal. Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKNF) is a UK-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics to treat addiction, with a near-term focus on alcohol use disorder. Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKNF) expanded its commercial operations into the U.S. last year through its first licensing partnership agreement with Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd. (RVLWF).
According to Anthony Tennyson – the CEO of Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKNF) – the company has already signed licensing deals with several third-party clinics in North America and Europe to use the therapy and has established four of its own clinics in the UK and Norway.
With that said, here are the Most Alcoholic Countries in the World.
Copyright: antonioguillem / 123RF Stock Photo
Methodology:
The most recent data regarding alcoholism rates in each country has been compiled by the World Health Organization, which recorded the percentage of the population aged 15 years and above with alcohol use disorder. When two countries had the same prevalence of alcohol use disorder, we ranked them by their total annual per capita consumption of pure alcohol.
Following are the Countries with the Highest Rates of Alcoholism in the World:
20. Lebanon
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 8.7%
In Lebanon, early initiation of alcohol drinking and the frequent and heavy consumption of alcohol among youth is on the rise, putting them at increased risk of multiple health, economic and social losses, and even mortality. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) seems to be influenced by several factors among the Lebanese population, including alexithymia, stress, anxiety, and work fatigue.
19. United Kingdom
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 8.7%
The economic burden of alcohol in the U.K. is estimated to be between 1.3% and 2.7% of the annual GDP ($27-$60 billion). Local authorities across England will benefit from an extra $534.5 million government funding until 2025 to improve drug and alcohol addiction and recovery.
18. Peru
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 8.9%
At least 35.2% of males and 11.6% of females reported drinking at least two to four times a month in Peru. Since alcohol laws in the South American country are very lax despite a legal drinking age, minors also often drink with their parents. Pisco is a favorite drink in the country and is to Peru what tequila is to Mexico.
17. Finland
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 9.1%
Alcohol was found to be the biggest cause of preventable deaths in 15 welfare regions across Finland, while suicide was the highest factor in 5 regions and ischemic heart disease in 3. Compared with other countries in the OECD area, Finland has relatively high levels of taxation for all types of alcoholic beverages.
16. Togo
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 9.5%
The daily average consumption of alcohol in Togo was 13g of pure alcohol for men and 9g for women. Tchoukoutou is a home-brewed beer that is central to Togolese social life and rituals.
Togo ranks 16th in our list of Countries with High Rates of Alcohol Use Disorder.
15. Switzerland
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 9.5%
In Switzerland, women with high education are more likely to be heavy drinkers than less educated ones, while it’s the opposite for men. According to the Federal Office of Public Health, an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 people in the mountainous European country are dependent on alcohol.
14. Ivory Coast
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 10%
Lager is Ivory Coast’s number one alcoholic tipple, served ice cold in more or less every hotel, restaurant, maquis, and magasin (convenience store). Côte d’Ivoire is one of the most alcoholic countries in 2023.
13. Sweden
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 11%
Produced in Sweden since 1870, Absolut Vodka is one of the Best Selling Vodka Brands in the World. Sweden’s Vin and Spirit, the parent company of Absolut, was acquired by the French group Pernod Ricard in 2008, in a deal worth around $8.9 billion. The economic cost of alcoholic consumption in Sweden amounts to approximately $10.9 billion a year.
12. Lithuania
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 11%
According to the OECD, Lithuanian men consume 21.3 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year while women consume 6.6 liters per year. Alcohol consumption in Lithuania fell by almost 7.5% last year, meaning on average everyone drank almost a liter less alcohol than in 2021.
11. Austria
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 12%
Austria is among the top countries in regard to per capita alcohol consumption among the OECD member countries with an estimated 4.9% prevalence of alcohol dependence. Austria is among the countries drinking the most alcohol in 2023.
10. Slovakia
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 12.2%
Drinking is very much a part of Slovak culture and some form of alcohol is usually present at any social occasion. The standard shot glass size in the Central European country is 50 ml, while it is usually around 44 ml around the world. Slovakia is among the top 10 countries with highest rates of alcoholism.
9. Estonia
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 12.2%
The incomes of the people of Estonia continued to grow in 2022 and so alcohol became more accessible. In addition to a favorable price, alcohol is also physically more easily available in the Baltic country. Nearly 90% of respondents to a survey said that they would reach the nearest point of sale of alcohol in less than 10 minutes. Estonia is among the Top 20 Alcohol Drinking Countries in the World.
8. Poland
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 12.8%
It is common for people to drink in groups and many Polish traditions involve alcohol consumption. The Polish Żubrówka vodka is one of the Most Popular Spirits in the World.
It was reported in 2021 that the Maspex Wadowice Group acquired CEDC, a Polish subsidiary of the Russian ROUST group, in a deal worth $980.8 million. CEDC is the leader of the Polish vodka market and boasts a portfolio of leading brands, including Żubrówka and Soplica.
7. South Korea
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 13.9%
The South Korean working culture almost encourages drinking. Many companies hold work dinners called ‘hoesik’, which means eating and drinking with work colleagues. According to a Euromonitor International report, South Koreans down 13.7 shots of hard liquor every week.
6. United States of America
Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 13.9%
Alcohol misuse and alcoholism remains the third-leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. These deaths can be attributed to alcohol-related health conditions like liver disease, liver cancer and heart disease, as well as alcohol-related accidents and driving while intoxicated. The U.S ranks 6th among Countries with the Highest Rates of Alcohol Use Disorder in the World.
Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries with Highest Rates of Alcoholism.
Suggested Articles:
- 20 Cities with the Most Bars per Capita in the World
- 20 Highest Rated Pilsner Beers in 2023
- 20 Most Consumed Beer Brands in the World
Disclosure: None. 20 Countries with Highest Rates of Alcoholism is originally published on Insider Monkey.