Drunkest Countries in the World: Alcohol consumption is far from being a joke. Countries all over the world consume alcohol to varying degrees, and excess consumption has become a problem in some societies. Some countries with strong religious traditional values like Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan are considered among the ones with the lowest consumption of alcohol.
On the other hand there are other regions where the alcohol consumption is believed to be so large that there are jokes and stereotypes about those peoples known to everyone. But don’t believe all the cliches, for countries such as Russia don’t even make it into the top ten of our list, while Ireland doesn’t crack the top five (but does make the top ten).
According to the World Health Organization, there were 3.3 million deaths related to alcohol abuse in 2012. Almost 6% of all deaths are alcohol related, and it amounts to six deaths per minute because of alcohol. On average, the level of consumption globally means that every person over 15 consumes an average of 6.2 liters of pure alcohol each year, but because over 38% of the population doesn’t drink this number is actually much higher (around 17 liters) among the alcohol-consuming demographic.
Surprisingly, alcohol consumption has little to do with wealth; or it’s possible that too much alcohol consumption is actually limiting the economic vitality of the drunkest countries in the world, and holding their wealth back. For an interesting comparison, check out the 20 Wealthiest Countries in the World and see for yourself.
In this article we will take a look at the top ten drunkest countries in the world, providing statistics on the most popular drink in each country and consumption patterns divided by gender and alcoholic drink. Now then, on with the list!
10 – Estonia
National Drink: Vana Tallinn
Alcoholic Drink stats: 41% Beer, 37% Spirits, 11% wine, 11% other
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 11.36 liters
Gender Ratio: 16.2 liters per male, 5.3 liters per female
The list of the drunkest countries in the world continues on the next page. Bottoms up!
9 – Saint Lucia
National Drink: Rum
Alcoholic Drink stats: 56% spirits, 31% beer, 13% wine
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 11.6 liters
Gender Ratio: 15.1 liters per male, 5.9 liters per female
8 – France
National Drink: Wine or Brandies
Alcoholic Drink stats: 56% wine, 23% spirits, 19% beer, 2 % other
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 11.7 liters
Gender Ratio: 17.8 liters per male, 7.1 liters per female
7 – Ireland
National Drink: Guinness
Alcoholic Drink stats: 48% Beer, 26% wine, 18% spirits, 8% other
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 11.92 liters
Gender Ratio: 16.8 liters per male, 7.1 liters per female
6 – Austria
National Drink: Schnapps
Alcoholic Drink stats: 50% beer, 36% wine, 14% spirits
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 12.1 liters
Gender Ratio: 15.4 liters per male, 6.3 liters per female
5 – Grenada
National Drink: Rum
Alcoholic Drink stats: 66% Spirits. 30% Beer, 4% Wine
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 12.4 liters
Gender Ratio: 17.9 liters per male, 7.3 liters per female
4 – Czech Republic
National Drink: Becherovka
Alcoholic Drink stats: 54% Beer, 26% Spirits, 20% wine
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 12.69 liters
Gender Ratio: 18.6 liters per male, 7.8 liters per female
3 – Lithuania
National Drink: Midus Mead
Alcoholic Drink stats: 46% Beer, 34% Spirits, 12% Other, 8% Wine
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 12.9 liters
Gender Ratio: 24.4 liters per male, 7.9 liters per female
2 – Andorra
National Drink: Wine
Alcoholic Drink stats: 45% Wine, 35% Beer, 20% Spirits
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 13.31 liters
Gender Ratio: 19.5 liters per male, 8.2 liters per female
1 – Belarus
National Drink: Krambambula
Alcoholic Drink stats: 47% Spirits, 31% Other, 17% Beer, 5% Wine
Average Amount of Alcohol consumed per person: 14.37 liters
Gender Ratio: 27.5 liters per male, 9.1 liters per female
There you have it, the ten drunkest countries in the world. We have to consider that some of these countries rank really high given their small population. Still, it is a shocking reality to see how much alcohol is consumed by the peoples of some nations, and how much of a health hazard it has become for their societies as a result. It’s important to always remember to drink responsibly.
