In this article, we will discuss the 20 countries with the highest alcohol consumption per capita in 2024. If you’re also curious about which states are the heaviest drinkers in America, here are the 20 States that Consume the Most Alcohol per Capita.
There is a substantial amount of evidence that suggests that any alcohol consumption, however moderate, can have negative health consequences. Even low levels of drinking can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Understanding that there is no such thing as risk-free drinking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Still, despite the well-publicized health risks, more than two-thirds of adult drinkers regularly exceed those levels.
The Global Alcohol Industry:
In 2019, the global alcohol consumption, measured in liters of pure alcohol per person of 15 years of age or older, was 5.5 liters, which is a 4.7% relative decrease from 5.7 liters in 2010. As we mentioned in our article – 20 Most Consumed Alcohols in the World – the global alcoholic beverages market size was valued at $1.62 trillion in 2021, and is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2031, with a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period.
The market is likely to be driven by the increasing global young-adult demographic, coupled with high disposable income and consumer demand for premium/super-premium products. Globally, beer drives the market for alcoholic beverages. Regionally, North America and Asia-Pacific are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
Economic Cost of Excessive Alcohol Consumption:
A recent worldwide overview showed that the economic costs of harm due to alcohol amounted to $1,306 per adult or 2.6% of the global GDP. About 38.8% of these are incurred as direct costs, while approximately 61.2% are due to losses in productivity.
As we stated in our article – 20 Countries with Most Alcohol Deaths – 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.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), the Largest Beer Company in the World, 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, AB InBev 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 the 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 the industry giant by 2025. In fact, Anheuser-Busch InBev Sa/NV (NYSE:BUD) has also recently scored a sponsorship for the upcoming Olympic Games, making it the first beer company ever to sponsor the grand event. The IOC specifically highlighted Corona Cero – the non-alcoholic version of the global best-seller Corona – as the beer of choice for the partnership, which will stretch from the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Games to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.
The brewing behemoth had a global production volume of 585 million hectoliters in 2023 while boasting a revenue of $59.38 billion, an increase of over 2.7% from the previous year. This revenue increase was despite the company facing some headwinds in the American market last year after the recent controversy regarding its best-selling brand Bud Light, which resulted in the iconic brand losing its crown as the Top-Selling Beer in America after nearly two decades.
AB InBev’s total production volume decreased by 0.6% during the first quarter of 2024, as growth in the majority of its markets was offset by its volume performance in Argentina, China, and especially the U.S. However, revenue per hectoliter still increased by 3.3% as a result of revenue management initiatives and premiumization. Underlying EPS also increased by 16% compared to last year, reaching $0.75.
Despite the slight decrease in overall volume, the company’s portfolio seems to be gaining momentum thanks to the continued strength of its core mega brands. The sales of Busch Light have stayed strong, Stella Artois has witnessed market share gains after the recent partnership with David Beckham, Michelob Ultra is expected to profit from the increasing popularity in the U.S., and even Bud Light, despite the recent setback, has remained among the top four or five brands in most U.S. markets by sales.
Among the 36 hedge funds in the IM database that had invested in BUD in Q1 2024, the largest stake of 9.29 million shares was held by Fisher Asset Management, valued at over $564.8 million.
Anheuser-Busch InBev Sa/NV (NYSE:BUD) is included among the 10 Best Alcohol Stocks to Buy Now.
With that said, here are the Countries that Drink the Most Alcohol in 2024.
Public Domain/Pixabay
Methodology:
To collect information for this article, we have referred to The Global Health Observatory of the World Health Organization, looking for Countries that Consume the Most Alcohol per Capita. The following countries have been ranked by their per capita consumption of pure alcohol for people aged 15 and over in 2019 (the latest year for which the WHO data is available). Since a country’s drinking habits can generally take a long time to change, the relative ordering of our list should still be valid in 2024.
One thing to keep in mind is that just because the people in these countries generally consume higher levels of alcohol, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re drunkards. Alcohol is simply an essential part of many cultures around the world and alcoholic beverages play a significant role in important events and celebrations since they can be associated with many festivals and rituals.
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20. Spain
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 10.91 liters
Alcohol has always been an important part of Spanish culture and Spanish wine and sangria are especially admired all over the world. Beer is the Spaniards’ favorite tipple though, consumed by over 50% of the population.
With an annual per capita consumption of 88.5 liters, Spain is counted among the Countries with the Most Beer Consumption in 2024.
19. Slovenia
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 10.98 liters
While Slovenians love beer and wine, there’s really only one national drink – Schnapps. Called Zganje in the local language, making this liquor is also a national pastime, and although you can find factory-made bottles of Schnapps in liquor stores and supermarkets, it’s the locally made Zganje brewed in someone’s garage that’s usually the best.
18. Andorra
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.05 liters
Andorra has one of the lowest tax rates on food and alcohol. The tax on food is just 1%, while the alcohol tax is 4.5%. In neighboring Spain, most taxes start from 20%, and that’s why many people come from France and Spain to Andorra to find good deals and stock their liquor cabinets.
17. Estonia
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.26 liters
Prices of goods and services increased rapidly in Estonia in 2022 while the rise in alcohol prices was significantly less. The prices of beer and grape wine rose slightly but the price of hard alcohol remained at the 2021 level or cheaper. The incomes of the Estonian people continued to grow that same year and so alcohol became even more accessible.
With an estimated 12.2% of its adult population living with alcohol use disorder, Estonia is ranked among the Countries with Highest Rates of Alcoholism.
16. France
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.3 liters
Recognized all over the world for its savoir-faire regarding food and drink, France has a long history of alcohol production and consumption. Wine is deeply embedded in the French culture and identity of the people, so it comes as no surprise that France is included among the Top Wine Drinking Countries in the World.
15. Moldova
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.36 liters
The wine culture is very strong in the Republic of Moldova and the wine industry employs almost 10% of the national workforce, with the income generated from viticulture forming 15% of the annual national budget. Up to 70% of alcohol consumed in the country is homemade wine.
14. Laos
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.52 liters
Laos is placed among the Top 15 Countries that Consume the Most Alcohol. The country has many ethnic groups and each has its own traditions and culture, but alcohol plays an important role throughout Lao society. Drunk driving is also a serious problem in the Southeast Asian country. Over a thousand people are killed on the roads in Laos each year, with many more suffering physical injuries and trauma after road accidents.
13. Luxembourg
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.53 liters
Since alcohol is relatively cheaper in Luxembourg, a large number of Belgians travel regularly to their neighboring country to buy their favorite tipples. According to the WHO, around 80% of alcohol consumed in Luxembourg is either beer or wine and only 20% is in the form of spirits.
12. Poland
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.63 liters
Vodka is deeply embedded in Polish culture, so much so that there is even a growing debate between Russian and Polish people as to who invented the popular spirit. Poland is the largest market for vodka in the E.U., representing over 35% of sales in the region. An increasing number of Poles are now also turning to wine.
11. Ireland
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.7 liters
Ireland is a nation with a love for alcohol and the Irish prefer to spend their time in pubs rather than casual cafes and restaurants. The country produces some of the finest stouts and whiskeys in the world. Guinness is an especially popular offering from the Emerald Isle.
10. Lithuania
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.79 liters
Lithuanians mostly prefer to drink beer, which makes up 44% of the total consumed alcohol in the country, while wine accounts for 15%. 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.
9. Bulgaria
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.92 liters
Bulgaria is included among the Top 10 Countries that Drink the Most Alcohol, with consumption levels roughly equivalent to 2.6 bottles of wine or 4.9 liters of beer per week per person aged 15 or older. Based on the current consumption patterns in the country, OECD simulations estimate that diseases and injuries caused by drinking lead to treatment costs equivalent to 1.8% of the national health expenditure.
8. Austria
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.97 liters
Austria has not only developed a culture for food but also a drinking culture that is second to none. Although each region has its own preference, beer and wine are the most popular alcoholic drinks in the country. You have to work really hard to find a bad beer in a typical Austrian store or bar. Over 300 breweries in the country produce more than 1,000 beers in total.
7. Seychelles
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 11.99 liters
Alcohol has an important social role in Seychelles and also plays a significant part in the country’s economy, generating substantial employment and tax revenue. The large number of tourists coming to the Beautiful Island Country also contributes heavily to the high alcohol use.
6. Uganda
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 12.21 liters
With an annual per capita consumption of 12.21 liters of pure alcohol, Uganda is the African Country with the Most Alcohol Consumption. Domestically produced
spirits account for 63% of Uganda’s alcohol market, which is largely unregulated and unrecorded.
5. Germany
Alcohol Consumption per Capita: 12.22 liters
German history and culture are synonymous with beer, even though beer wasn’t technically there. The country’s love affair with beer has existed for more than 1,000 years, spawning many types of brews and flavors. Beer is so integral to German culture that the country even came up with its own purity law as far back as 500 years ago.