The spread of alcoholism in the world with a ranking of countries. Rating of the most drinking countries Alcohol consumption per capita

MOSCOW, May 10 - RIA Novosti, Maxim Rubchenko. According to the Ministry of Health, since 2006, alcohol consumption in Russia has decreased by almost 40 percent. The World Health Organization, in turn, states that today the average Russian drinks 3.5 liters less alcohol per year than ten years ago. What is behind these indicators and in which countries they drink the most - in the RIA Novosti material.

Statistics games

The widely held belief that Russians are the world's heaviest drinkers is increasingly at odds with reality. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the country has been declining for many years, and at a rapid pace. Data from different departments vary somewhat - WHO says about 13.9 liters per capita per year, the Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor - about ten liters. In January, Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova reported that alcohol consumption had been reduced by 80 percent over the past five to seven years. Be that as it may, everyone agrees that people in Russia drink less and less every year, and this trend has persisted for more than ten years.

In 2017 alone, alcohol consumption decreased by 0.3 liters - this is one and a half bottles of vodka (0.5 liters of alcohol), 4.5 liters of dry wine or 10 liters of light beer.

As a result, Russia is now not even among the top three drinking countries (Lithuania - 18.2 liters, Belarus - 16.4 liters, Moldova - 15.9 liters), occupying fourth place and quite a bit ahead of Romania, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria .

According to WHO estimates, 13.9 liters of alcohol consumed in Russia per capita are equivalent to 34.75 liters of vodka. According to the Pricing portal, the average price of vodka today is 693 rubles per liter. This means that on average you spend 24,081 rubles on drinks. The average salary in 2017 was 35,845 rubles per month (430 thousand per year). This means that Russians spend 5.9 percent of their income on alcohol. That is, more than in the most problematic countries in terms of drunkenness in the European Union, and three times more than the average European.

On the other hand, the average salary in Estonia is 1,242 euros per month, so 5.6 percent is 835 euros.

However, the chief analyst of the Estonia Department of Statistics, Märt Leesment, claims that the average adult Estonian spends only 108 euros per year on alcohol, that is, seven times less. It is impossible to understand who is right, the Estonia Department of Statistics or Eurostat, but it is clear that such ratings should not be taken too seriously.

Unexpected conclusions

“For the first time, the population of several countries was studied in terms of lifestyle, health, and working conditions,” explained Andreas Eikem, professor of sociology at the Norwegian University of Natural Sciences and Technology, to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten. “This has not been done before.”

Some results were quite unexpected. In particular, it turned out that the wealthy and educated drink more than people with low social status.

“Alcohol consumption in general seems to be associated with higher education,” notes Eikemu. “This distinguishes alcohol, for example, from smoking, which is common only in the lower strata of society. However, wealthy people drink 'correctly'; problematic alcohol consumption is more common in the lower strata." .

Another unexpected finding is that alcohol consumption begins to affect human health quite late compared to other factors. “Living conditions are more important and can tell us why we drink the way we do,” says Eikemu. “Problematic drinking is destructive to both the individual and his family, but is rarely the main cause of destruction.”

In addition, experts say that bans (for example, on the sale of alcohol at certain times) are not the best way to fight for a healthy lifestyle. “Our research has shown that for the vast majority of countries it is more important to improve the well-being of citizens and improve working conditions,” states Eikemu. “The fight against drunkenness is, of course, important, but first we must provide people with the opportunity to live in dignity. By doing so, we will create the preconditions for so that taking care of health becomes a habit among people.”

The Russian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization are unlikely to agree with this conclusion, as they claim that the decrease in alcohol consumption in Russia is due precisely to restrictions.

The Russian Ministry of Health believes that the ban on the retail sale of alcohol from 23:00 to eight in the morning, as well as the ban on alcoholic drinks in children's, educational, medical institutions and sports facilities, played an important role in the positive statistical changes.

A question of culture

For obvious reasons, problems with drunkenness do not arise in countries and regions where Islam is widespread. Thus, according to WHO, citizens of Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania and Pakistan (0.1 liters per year per person), Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh (0.2 liters each), Egypt, Niger and Yemen (0.2 liters each) consume the least amount of alcohol. .3 liters).

It's the same in Russia. Experts from the federal project “Sober Russia” have compiled a rating of the most “sober” and most “drinking” regions of the country. Places were distributed in accordance with points, which were awarded taking into account the sales volume of all types of alcoholic products, the number of deaths from alcohol poisoning, crimes committed while drunk, citizens registered with a narcologist, violations in the field of alcohol circulation and hours of prohibition on the sale of alcohol during the day.

For many, alcohol has become an integral part of life. Fortunately, some drink alcohol only on holidays and in moderation. But still, in some countries people drink often and a lot. And which of them can be called the most “drinking”?

Who drinks the most?

Top ten countries that drink the most:

1. Republic of Belarus. This country is almost one of the most drinking in the whole world! Alcohol consumption per capita in recent years has been approximately 17 liters! A man manages to drink about 27-28 liters of alcohol in a year! Women drink an average of 9. But the real data is most likely much higher, because researchers cannot estimate the scale of illegal alcohol production, that is, moonshine, and Belarusians probably brew moonshine, and in huge quantities.
2. Hungary. Hungarians can hardly be called “alcohol gourmets”, since they are not at all selective in their choice of alcohol. There are no favorite drinks, and therefore almost everything is used: wine, beer, vodka, liqueurs, and so on. The average resident of this country drinks about 13.5 liters of alcohol per year. At the same time, men drink much more often and more than women. They manage to consume more than 20 liters of alcohol per year, while the fairer sex is limited to just seven. By the way, Hungary is famous for its vineyards, which is probably why many residents believe that it is simply impossible not to drink here, because there are so many temptations around!
3. Czech Republic. In this country they also drink, and they drink a lot. There are about 15-16 liters of alcohol per capita per year (about 19 per man and about 8 per woman), and this is a lot. Moreover, the Czechs especially love beer; it is not for nothing that this country is famous for this foamy drink and for its breweries, which supply products to many countries around the world. By the way, this is where the most popular and delicious beer is brewed, and here the term “Pilsner” appeared, which roughly translates as “Pilsen” (there is a city in the country called Pilsen). But the prices are quite reasonable, so people do not deny themselves the pleasure of enjoying the taste and aroma of malt and hops.
4. Moldova. Surely everyone has drunk Moldovan wine at least once in their life. But the residents of this country probably drink it regularly, because on average, one person over 15 years old receives about 17 liters of alcohol per year (about 25 per man, and 9 per woman). Probably, people here still remember the Soviet “prohibition law” or are worried that it might be introduced again.
5. Portugal. This country is warm and sunny almost all year round, so the vineyards grow by leaps and bounds. And the Portuguese take advantage of this with pleasure, making wine and other alcoholic drinks from grapes, which are consumed almost daily as aperitifs or sedatives. In small quantities, such a drink is useful, but if a country has entered the top, it means they don’t know how to control themselves. Beer, by the way, is also loved and drunk no less, since it costs much less.
6. Slovakia. She, too, has not gone far from her neighbor the Czech Republic, they also love to drink. It is not for nothing that there are about 13-14 liters of alcohol per capita per year. And if women limit themselves (they drink an average of 6 liters), then men most likely allow themselves weaknesses every day, since they manage to drink 20 liters per year!
7. Ukraine. This country is also included in the list of the most drinking countries. The average Ukrainian annually receives about 17-18 liters of alcohol, and this is quite a lot. The national drink, by the way, is vodka, which is very similar to Russian vodka. And it appeared, according to some documents and evidence, in the distant 17th century. And at that time it was called “hot wine,” although it can’t taste like wine, because the strength is much higher. And some alcoholic products are known all over the world. So, a popular brand is “Nemiroff”.
8. Russia. Russians know how to drink, everyone knows that. And sometimes they simply cannot stop, which is why the country entered the top. On average, one resident consumes about 15-16 liters of alcohol per year, and men drink a lot: about 23 liters! The most popular drink among Russians is beer, which is especially loved by men, which is why they rapidly gain weight. But women also don’t mind having a bottle or two in good company. In second place in popularity is the strongest drink – vodka. It is used at almost all feasts. But, as statistics show, Russian citizens are increasingly drinking wine. But whether to rejoice or not is unknown, since this drink is harmful if you don’t know the limits.
9. Andorra. In this wonderful country, in which, it would seem, in addition to feasts, there are so many different more interesting and useful activities, about 14 liters of alcohol are drunk annually. And men drink much more than women, they consume up to 20 liters (while the fairer sex is limited to only 8).
10. Lithuania. In this country, each average citizen drinks about 16 liters of pure alcohol annually (naturally, as part of alcoholic beverages). They drink a variety of drinks here, but midus is practically national. It is prepared from honey, water and yeast. In total, three types of mead are produced in the country. But since there is a lot of honey here, other drinks are also made from it, for example, nectars, balms, tinctures. It’s probably very tasty, and that’s why Lithuanians get so carried away that they don’t always keep it in moderation.

And finally, some interesting facts about the so-called alcohol culture of the world and different countries:

• The critical norm for alcohol consumption, according to the World Health Organization, is 8 liters. But at the same time, the average volume of consumption throughout the world is 10 liters, which means that alcohol is abused in literally all countries. And these statistics are very sad.
• Currently, alcohol claims millions of lives every year! Thus, people die from it much more often than from violence, pneumonia and AIDS. Just imagine: many literally kill themselves with their own hands by abusing alcohol.
• Approximately 45-48% of the world's population have never tried alcohol in their lives. And if we take this fact into account, it turns out that those who drink are abusing in any case, otherwise the indicators would not be so significant.
• Different countries drink different drinks. For example, Spain, France and Portugal are very fond of wine, probably because there are many vineyards. In Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium and Germany, residents love beer and wine almost equally.
• The further north the state is located, the more strong drinks are consumed in it. And they drink especially a lot in countries such as Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, the USA, Canada, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Japan and the UK. Most likely, this is due to the fact that residents of these countries believe that strong alcohol helps to keep warm. And this is true, because after use you feel as if it has become warmer. But such a feeling is often deceptive and even dangerous, because many freeze to death precisely in a state of alcoholic intoxication.

Now you know which countries drink the most and which drinks are especially loved by their residents.

In the spring of 2017, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) was presented, which named the 10 most drinking countries in the world in 2017-2018. It should be noted that although the order of countries in the ranking changes from year to year, the traditional leaders of the list are the republics of the former Soviet Union, as well as developed countries of Western Europe, while the least people drink in the Muslim countries of the world, which is quite natural, given Islam's attitude towards alcohol, that is, its complete rejection. By the way, the majority of the world's population (more than 60%) does not drink at all, and the global average consumption is about 6.2 liters of pure alcohol per year. In addition, it is noted that approximately 16% of the total number of drinkers are people who are said to be systematic drinkers, essentially being alcoholics.

Top 10 most drinking countries in the world 2017-2018

The list was presented by WHO representative Gauden Galea and is as follows:

10 Australia

Australia opens the top ten countries in the world where they drink the most. The so-called Australian way of life is inextricably linked with drinking beer. It is this foamy drink, and also wine, that accounts for the lion’s share of alcohol consumption in the country. The biggest problem in Australia is the excessive consumption of alcohol by Aboriginal Australians, for whom drunkenness and alcoholism have become commonplace. Therefore, the state is taking quite strict measures to combat this problem. Thus, in the Northern Territory, where the largest number of Australia’s indigenous population lives, the method of compulsory treatment for alcoholism is practiced.

9

There is no doubt that Germany owes such a high place in the ranking of the most drinking countries 2017-2018 to the consumption of beer. In addition, the country is quite loyal not only to drinking beer (beer and wine can be drunk from 16 years of age), but also to drinking strong alcoholic drinks (allowed after 18 years of age). In the country, you can drink while driving, but the presence of ethanol in the blood should not exceed the norm of 0.3 ppm. In addition, there is a precedent when a court in one of the German cities allowed drinking alcohol on the streets, arguing that the ban infringes on the rights of citizens and the authorities should not fight alcohol in public places, but direct violators of public order. It’s true that there are very few of them in the country.

8

Italy is not far behind its neighbor France, where there is a large number of traditional alcoholic drinks, many of which are known throughout the world. Italian wines and vermouths are rightfully considered to be some of the best on the planet and it is not surprising that the Italians themselves love to spend the evening with a glass of, for example, good Chianti.

7 France

Residents of a country where vineyards occupy 58 million hectares, an area equal to two of Belgium, cannot help but consume the results of their labors, because France is one of the largest producers of wine and wine products in the world. The traditions of drinking alcoholic beverages in the country, such as dry wine, champagne or cognac, have centuries-old roots, so the French regularly appear in the rankings of the most drinking countries in the world.

6

Alcohol has long been a part of everyday life in the country and, apparently, the British themselves are not particularly concerned about it. The world-famous pubs and restaurants of Great Britain are rarely empty, but what often appears on the tables of their customers? Although the UK is the birthplace of many world-famous alcoholic drinks, including whiskey and gin, the most popular drink in the country is beer, including the original English drink - ale. Drinkers are not particularly persecuted in the country and by law. Thus, in England and Wales, drinking alcohol in public places is not formally prohibited. In addition, British drivers, like their counterparts in most Western European countries, can afford to drink alcohol while driving. True, in strictly limited sizes.

5

Not only European countries are in the Top 10 countries for alcohol consumption. South Korea took fifth place in the ranking and became the most drinking country in Asia. It should be noted that Koreans traditionally drink a lot of alcohol, and among the most popular alcoholic drinks among them is soju or rice vodka. Koreans also love rice or fruit wine and local beer. Despite the fact that in Korea they drink a lot (among the local population it is considered common to end the working day in one of the drinking establishments) and on the streets of cities you can often meet tipsy people, including drunk teenagers, Koreans behave more or less decently, even while under the influence of large amounts of alcohol.

4

Both of these countries consume about 12 liters of pure alcohol per year per person. The fact that Russia did not make it into the top three can already be called an achievement for a country where drinking strong alcoholic drinks is a national tradition. But the fact remains, and for three years now, there has been a trend in the country towards a decrease in the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the population, which cannot be said about Poland, which, on the contrary, has been rising in similar ratings in recent years. It should be noted that the Poles are big fans of all kinds of parties, and as the purchasing power of the population increases, which, of course, is good, the level of consumption of alcoholic beverages also increases, which is no longer so good.

3

Another Baltic country was in the top three of the ranking. At the same time, it is quite unusual to see it so high on the list, because Latvians have not previously been noted for particular abuse of alcohol. Nevertheless, 13 liters of pure alcohol is exactly the figure per capita of Latvia given by WHO. The country is taking several measures to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In particular, alcohol advertising was banned back in 2014, but this did not lead to a noticeable decrease in consumption. At the same time, data from another study shows the following unpleasant facts: residents of Latvia spend twice as much money on drinking (about 100 euros per year) than on attending cultural events.

2 Belarus

15 liters of pure alcohol per capita allowed Belarus to confidently take second place in the list of the most drinking countries in the world in 2017-2018. It should be noted that the country is geographically located next to the leader, Lithuania, and therefore the alcoholic traditions in these countries are very similar to each other. The state has developed a special program to prevent and overcome drunkenness, designed for the period until 2020. Its goal is to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages to 8 liters of pure alcohol per person, since, according to the same World Health Organization, a higher level of consumption leads to the general degradation of society and negatively affects future generations.

1

“The biggest drinker in Europe, and also the biggest drinker in the world,” this is how the above-mentioned official put it in relation to this small Baltic state, where, according to WHO estimates, 16 liters of pure alcohol are drunk annually. This news simply shocked the residents of Lithuania, and the local parliament immediately approved a number of changes to the legislation, which are designed to reduce alcohol consumption among the country's population. Thus, from 2018, only persons over 20 years of age will be able to buy alcoholic beverages. In addition, the country will completely ban alcohol advertising and introduce temporary restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages, both on weekdays and on holidays.

The ranking of the most drinking countries in the world for 2017-2018 was calculated using the following methodology: World Health Organization, which is based on systematic sociological and medical research and is updated once every few years. The WHO's attention to the problem is due to the fact that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is the world's third leading risk factor for deadly diseases, and this despite the fact that less than half of the world's population drinks alcohol.

Alcohol is an indispensable holiday companion. At the same time, in some countries of the world they drink purely symbolically, while in others there is a real cult of strong drinks. Among the countries where alcohol is held in high esteem are France and Ireland. It turns out that harsh Finns love to get blackout drunk, but Italians are much more restrained in this regard.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tried to answer the question about the country that drinks the most. Based on the results of her research, 10 countries were identified whose citizens are breaking all records for alcohol consumption. People drink there not because they feel thirsty or because of a special occasion; they don’t even need a reason for that. The criterion for determining leaders is simple - the number of liters of alcohol consumed per capita per year.

It is interesting that testing was carried out in countries all over the world, but the first 15 places belong to European countries, with the only exception being distant Australia. It is also worth taking into account the existence of a drinking culture and a tendency to binge drinking. This largely determines a nation's predisposition to alcoholism. So, where do they drink the most, at meetings, holidays, while eating and just like that?

France (consumption of pure alcohol - 14.2 liters per year per person). 35.5 liters of beer alone are consumed annually per capita in the country. The image of the Frenchman is quite traditional - these people slowly sip wine, enjoying every sip. In America, the French are considered saturated snobs, but even there they cannot deny the fact that “paddling pools” still have excellent taste. In addition to wine, this country also knows great things about food. In general, in France, fine wine goes hand in hand with delicious food; these two concepts are inseparable here, like baguette and brie cheese. It can be said more simply - it is rare that a meal is not accompanied by drinking wine. It is interesting that cheeses, pastries and fatty sauces are considered national products in France, but residents of the country rarely suffer from obesity and heart disease. The reason for this is food culture. In America, for example, people usually eat quickly, spending a minimum of time on it, as if participating in some kind of competition. The French eat slowly, trying to fully experience the taste of the food they swallow. It’s customary here to sit in front of the TV after work, enjoying a multi-course meal, wine and a cigarette. The French are also very talkative, never stopping to chat even over food and drink. Thus, even a certain ritual developed. There are quite a lot of favorite alcoholic drinks in France - Bordeaux, Burgundy, champagne, Beaujolais and this list is truly endless.

Italy (consumption of pure alcohol - 8 liters per year per person). Italy is one of those countries where wine is not only drunk, but also produced en masse. As in the previous case, wine is an essential part of Italian food culture. In this country, they enjoy drinking grape drink with meals, and even children are allowed to do this, diluting only strong degrees. Italians even encourage their descendants in their passion for a truly national drink. And you can understand the strong connection between food and wine just by looking at the local groves - here the grapevine is adjacent to olive trees. The US Department of Commerce in 2007 estimated that the majority of vermouth and table wine in the country is imported from Italy. The statistics took into account a wide variety of famous wines. The increase in exports was a consequence of increased demand for Italian wines, all of which improved the quality of alcoholic products created in the European country. For example, in the Chianti region they are not chasing the quantity of wine produced, but pay special attention to its quality. This area is famous for producing alcoholic drinks exclusively from red Sangiovese grapes. The variety is considered the most exquisite, and therefore expensive, in the entire country. But in the recent past, Chianti was an ordinary red wine, to which white was added. The pride of Italy is such an alcoholic drink as grappa. It is made from grape marc under a number of strict conditions. The quality of the final product is influenced by the ripeness of the berries, the method and nature of wine production.

Czech Republic (consumption of pure alcohol - 11.8 liters per year per person). But beer in the country accounts for 157 liters per person per year. And this is no coincidence, because in the Czech Republic the traditions of brewing and consuming the foamy drink are centuries-old. And since the 1930s, local beer has become known and popular throughout the world. The process of producing the drink itself is original. Beer is not pasteurized; open fermenters are used. After the Velvet Revolution in the country, corporations significantly increased production volumes, which affected the quality. But still, Czech “lager” and “pilsner” are considered classic beer varieties. Any guest who has visited this country is simply obliged to try draft beer in one of the many pubs. Just look at U Fleku - the famous restaurant-brewery that has existed in Prague for more than 500 years! In such an establishment you can feel the real Czech Republic, get acquainted with its cuisine and, of course, beer. Beer of the lager or pilsner variety is a classic of the alcoholic genre in this country. Light, dark, banana, coffee - the variety makes your eyes wide open.

Germany (consumption of pure alcohol - 10.8 liters per year per person). And in this country, much attention is paid to beer - here they consume an average of 117 liters per year per person. Is it any wonder, knowing that such a drink here is not much more expensive than plain water? Germany is known for its liberality, so alcoholic drinks are sold everywhere here - in newsstands, small shops and even gas stations. The country is famous for the fact that it is legal to drink alcohol in public places. This alone puts her at the top of the drinker rankings. So no one will notice if you open a bottle of beer at a bus stop or in a park. In general, the Germans really like to have barbecues outdoors, and a large amount of food will certainly be washed down with an alcoholic foamy drink. National festivals that attract thousands of guests are dedicated to beer. The most famous of them is Oktoberfest. It is held annually in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. The beer festival lasts for 16 days in October. This is how the harvest is celebrated. At the same time, the Germans eat their traditional sausages, eat sauerkraut, sing national songs and drink rivers of beer. Even the mugs used here are of a liter size, immediately making it clear that no one intends to cut corners. There are several varieties of wheat beer that are popular in Germany and outside the country - Weizen, Weizenbock, Berliner Weisse and Leipziger Gose.

Denmark (consumption of pure alcohol - 11.5 liters per year per person). They also drink a lot of beer in this country - 90 liters per month per person. In general, the country is quite loyal to drinking alcohol - about 96% of Danes over 14 years old drink openly. It is not surprising that this small country has suddenly become one of the leaders in terms of alcohol consumed. These statistics are quite frightening; they indicate that in Denmark, as in other European countries, the attitude towards drunkenness is quite calm. In addition, alcohol in this country is cheap compared to Scandinavia, so numerous Swedes come here for drinks. In Denmark there are many drinking establishments of different types. Connoisseurs will enjoy the traditional wine bars vinstues, and those who want to save money will have to visit vaertshus. These smoky dens are also poorly lit and full of suspicious characters. French-style cafes feature bodegas, and in kaffebars taverns you can taste coarse, fatty food and drink alcohol straight from your throat. The most famous Danish beers are Tuborg, Carlsberg and Lager.

Australia (consumption of pure alcohol - 9.8 liters per year per person). It is also worth taking into account about 110 liters of beer drunk per person per year. This country is the only one that does not represent Europe on this list. And the thing is that in the era when Western Australia was just being conquered, this huge continent, which was a British colony, used strong rum as one of the types of currencies. Is it any wonder that the inhabitants of the colony were almost constantly in a state of drinking? Friendly drinking and drinking was considered quite commonplace here. Since then, in Australia it has been considered simply indecent to drink alone. The residents themselves are constantly looking for someone to share a drink with. Until the 1970s, Australia was generally among the leaders, competing in terms of alcohol consumption with Ireland and Germany. But since then, the hobby of drinking has gradually lost its popularity. But there is still a tradition of ordering drinks for everyone present in the bar; you just have to wait until one of the visitors gets drunk to the point of insensibility. This ritual allows us to classify Australia as one of the most drinking countries. One of the most famous alcoholic drinks in the country is wine made from the Shiraz grape variety.” The berry has taken root well on the mainland; they say that the taste of the drink made from it is rich and bright, which gourmets cannot help but appreciate.

Russia (consumption of pure alcohol - 9.29 liters per year per person). The word “vodka” has become one of the synonyms for our country. This legendary alcoholic drink was invented here. Vodka allows you to quickly get drunk until you lose consciousness, which is what Russians often do. In an alcoholic haze it will be easy to escape reality, but what to do with a terrible hangover? Russia is not a country where they pay attention to exquisite alcoholic cocktails. Martini, popular in Europe, is just an overseas curiosity here. And why experiment when there is a proven national product? And it’s not just about patriotism, but the fact that vodka is a really cool alcohol. In Russia, it is consumed in its pure form, without additives in the form of soda, as in the West. The most zealous experimenters even add vodka to beer or wash it down with this foamy drink. It’s hard for discerning connoisseurs of Russian booze to understand, but such cocktails are quite common here. No wonder they say in Russia: “Vodka without beer is money down the drain.” Vodka is usually served chilled, in small glasses, and drunk in one gulp.

England (consumption of pure alcohol - 10.4 liters per year per person). Another 99 liters per year are drunk here in the form of beer. When the British start drinking, they no longer feel any restraint. Light or dark beer, ale, porter, whiskey flow like a river. Keeping up with the European Union, the country has adopted a law according to which alcohol can be consumed around the clock. And even before the adoption of such a resolution, the British did not particularly restrain themselves. Now it has become possible to drink beer even with breakfast. The fact that drinking is a special passion in England is proven by the increase in the number of alcohol-related diseases over the past 10 years. And where would we be without classic cirrhosis of the liver? There was a time when almost all English pubs closed at 11 pm. This fact ensured rather low rates of alcohol consumption. But today nothing prevents drunkards clutching a bottle from hanging out in such establishments around the clock. The break is only for the sake of sleep. It is believed that in England they love warm beer. In fact, it cools here, as elsewhere. It’s just that in America the drink is served ice cold. Among the favorites in England are ale and light bitter beer; they are drunk from simple half-liter glass mugs.

Finland (consumption of pure alcohol - 9.9 liters per year per person). Living in this northern country is not so much fun. In winter it is cold, dark and boring here. The air temperature drops to minus 30, and the night gives up its power to the day for only a few hours. Is it easy to resist drinking in such conditions? So the Finns, it seems, drink to forget themselves and not notice the cold. A study was conducted in Scandinavia in 2005 that showed that alcoholism is the main cause of death in these countries. Drinking has killed more people aged 15 to 64 than cancer or heart disease. The tradition of drinking in Finland is so ingrained that government bans are met with bewilderment. During the Prohibition period, the country even had its own hero, Helsinki resident Algot Niska (1888-1954), nicknamed “the king of smugglers.” All his exploits were carried out due to the illegal import of alcohol into the country, which the grateful Finns could not appreciate. The most popular alcoholic drinks in the country are vodka and Guinness beer. Strong strong drinks are in fashion, just like in Russia. In addition, there are many Irish pubs in the country where you can taste real Guinness.

Ireland (consumption of pure alcohol - 14.2 liters per year per person). Another 131 liters per capita are drunk in the country of beer. Sometimes it seems that a sober Irishman is nonsense. In the country, drunkenness has long become commonplace. The Irish endurance when it comes to drinking can best be seen in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Research conducted by the London Press Associated showed that about 48% of Irish people drink alcohol at least once a week. For comparison, in England this figure is 40%, and in France - 9%. Over time, beer was able to become an integral part of the life of the island, now being mentioned in all stories about it. Guinness has become the most famous brand, a source of pride for Ireland. This is a legendary beer, a symbol of St. Patrick's Day, the patron saint of Ireland. On this day, the slogan is heard throughout the country: “Kiss me, I’m Irish,” and all residents wear green clothes. It is not surprising that in other countries Ireland appears as the land of the Celts, where they drink non-stop. That is why this country takes first place in our ranking. And in addition to Guinness beer, it is also worth noting the famous Harp beer. And how can we forget about Irish whiskey, known since the 12th century?

From 2008 to 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted large-scale studies on alcohol consumption in countries around the world. The WHO 2010 result is currently the most current (2017), all other “ratings” of more recent years are either reprints of old data or some kind of forecasts. We provide official WHO data, as well as a forecast for 2020.

Alcohol consumption is expressed in terms of pure alcohol (95 degrees) per capita of the population over 15 years of age per year. Total consumption takes into account official data plus unrecorded alcohol consumption (home and informal production). In addition, based on WHO data, the site provides consumption data by type of alcoholic beverage, as a percentage of total consumption.

From the above data it is clear that the most “drinking” countries are the countries of Eastern Europe. In first place is Belarus - this is the most “drinking” country in the world, followed by Moldova, Lithuania, Russia, Romania.

When broken down by gender, men drink on average three times more than women. The heaviest drinking men live in Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Russia and Romania. The most drinking women: Belarus, Moldova, Andorra, Lithuania, Czech Republic.

The most unrecorded alcohol is consumed in Moldova (10.5 l/person), Ukraine (5 l/person), Vietnam (4.6 l/person), as well as in Romania, Namibia and Chad (4 l/person each). people).

According to the forecast for 2020, the top five will undergo a number of changes. Moldova will take first place with 17.7 l/person, second and third places are shared by Belarus and Lithuania with 16.8 l/person, Russia is still in fourth place with 15 l/person, and the Czech Republic is in fifth place. from 14.2 l/person.

In total, there are 30 countries with very high consumption levels (more than 11 liters per person per year), and this list includes almost all highly developed countries in Europe, Australia and South Korea. Thus, it cannot be said that Europe is a non-drinker, while Russia and Ukraine become drunkards. Everyone drinks, and they drink a lot. Moreover, in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus they prefer strong alcohol, and in European countries and America - beer and wine.

If you look at the WHO data from the religious perspective, it is interesting that alcohol consumption is high only in Christian countries, while in other faiths, and especially in Muslim countries, consumption is extremely low.

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