Nutrition and Wellness Food and Beverage
Alcohol Consumption by Country 2026
- Average consumption of pure alcohol in liters per year among individuals aged 15+.
Snapshot
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Alcoholic beverages are culturally pervasive but regulated differently across countries due to health and safety concerns.
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Excessive alcohol consumption poses serious health risks, including heart and liver diseases, several types of cancer, and increased accident risks, especially in driving.
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Global alcohol consumption varies widely, with European countries generally having the highest per capita consumption and Middle Eastern countries, influenced by religious views, having the lowest.
Liters of Pure Alcohol A standardized measure estimating the amount of pure ethanol consumed per person annually from all alcoholic beverages.
Eastern Europe Dominates Global Alcohol Consumption
Eastern European countries dominate the world’s highest alcohol consumption rankings. Romania recorded the highest per-capita alcohol consumption in 2022 (the most recent data available as of 2026) at 17.1 liters of pure alcohol per year, followed by Georgia at 15.5 liters, Latvia at 14.7 liters, Moldova at 14.1 liters, and Czechia at 13.7 liters.
The broader region consistently appears near the top of global alcohol consumption rankings. Countries such as Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Belarus, Hungary, and Slovakia all reported annual consumption levels above 11 liters per person. Beer, wine, and spirits all play major cultural roles across much of Eastern and Central Europe, contributing to some of the world’s highest long-term drinking averages.
The United States Drinks Above the Global Average
The United States recorded annual alcohol consumption of 9.8 liters of pure alcohol per person in 2022, placing it well above the global average. Other high-consuming developed countries included Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and Ireland, all of which reported consumption levels near or above 10 liters per year.
Alcohol consumption patterns vary widely even among wealthy countries. Southern European nations such as Italy and Greece generally reported lower levels than parts of Eastern Europe, while several Nordic countries—including Sweden, Finland, and Denmark—remained near the middle-to-upper range globally. Differences in drinking culture, taxation, public health policy, and beverage preferences all help shape national consumption patterns.
Religion and Culture Strongly Influence Alcohol Consumption
Some of the world’s lowest alcohol consumption levels are found in countries where religious or cultural norms discourage drinking. Many Muslim-majority countries—including Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia—reported annual alcohol consumption levels close to zero in 2022.
Legal restrictions also play a major role. In several Middle Eastern and North African countries, alcohol sales are tightly regulated or partially prohibited, limiting both availability and social acceptance. Cultural attitudes toward drinking can influence consumption just as strongly as income levels or economic development.
Wealthier Countries Often Consume More Alcohol
Higher-income countries generally report higher alcohol consumption levels because alcoholic beverages are more affordable and widely available. Many of the countries near the top of the rankings—including Germany, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada—have long-established drinking cultures supported by large hospitality and entertainment industries.
That said, wealth alone does not determine drinking habits. Some affluent countries, such as Singapore and several Gulf states, maintain relatively low consumption levels because of cultural norms, public policy, or religious influence. Alcohol consumption ultimately reflects a mix of economics, tradition, regulation, and social behavior.
