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Who drinks alcohol the most? Statistics and rating of alcoholism in the world. We keep on abusing

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.

Measures taken to combat drunkenness

According to the same World Health Organization, the most effective measures to solve problems with excessive alcohol consumption are:

  • Restricting access to alcohol, including for minors
  • Ban on advertising of alcoholic beverages
  • State pricing policy

We should not forget about promoting a healthy lifestyle and creating conditions for active pastime that exclude the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In Western European countries, the use of such measures leads to a decrease in alcohol consumption, even in countries where drinking has become a real national tradition. So, drinking a glass of wine in Spain, Portugal, Italy or France has always been considered an ordinary thing for the appetite, the same can be said about a glass of beer for a German.

4.6 (92%) 10 votes

Despite the high development of civilization, among the most drinking countries in the world in 2018, states with a low standard of living were not far behind. From this we can conclude that financial well-being does not play a decisive role in this matter. Every year the number of people with a morbid addiction to alcoholic beverages around the world is only growing.

The TOP 10 countries for strong drink lovers include developed European countries, but Russia, contrary to the stereotype, has noticeably moved away from the “prize” places. It’s sad that the age of people who try alcohol for the first time barely reaches 15 years, and after 16, the average rate of alcohol consumption by a young person per year is 6.2 liters. After analyzing research from the World Health Organization, we have compiled a list of the most drinking countries in the world 2018.

10. Ukraine

On Ukraine There are 12.8 liters of alcohol per person per year. The country's alcohol market is very poorly regulated, so the number of young people addicted to alcohol is increasing. The national drink is gorilka, whose history begins
from the 12th century. Gorilka (vodka) and beer are the most popular alcohols, with wine in third place. Ukrainians prefer to drink wines from domestic producers, mainly because of the affordable price compared to European brands. The global brand of Ukrainian alcoholic beverages is “Nemirov” and “Khortytsya”.

9.Belgium

The country is famous for its beer. Some varieties date back more than IV centuries. It is not surprising that the country was included in the ranking of the most drinking countries. The share of income that citizens spend on alcohol is 2.9%. For example, the average for the European Union is 1.6%. Alcohol consumption per person in Belgium is 13.2 liters.

8.Bulgaria

The eighth place in the ranking is taken by a country that is very popular among tourists. In Bulgaria, beaches occupy a significant area of ​​the country. The country has one of the lowest prices for alcohol and one of the lowest excise taxes. Perhaps if a country counted all the alcohol produced by its citizens, the country would rank higher. Alcohol consumption in Bulgaria is 13.6 liters per person.

7.Croatia

Back in 2016, the country occupied 4 places in the ranking, with a value of 12.8 liters. In 2018, the figure increased by more than 5% and amounted to 13.6 liters. Liqueur is one of the country's national drinks. Wine is very popular in the country; the share of consumption of this drink is 44.8%.

List of countries with the largest share of alcohol costs from average wages.

6. Czech Republic

The national drink is Becherovka. Inhabitant Czech Republic on average drinks 13.7 liters per year. strong drink. There is almost 160 liters of beer. per person Beer in this country is part of the culture; it has been brewed here for many centuries. The world-famous Czech brands Velkopopovicky Kozel, Radegast and Pilsner are classic beer varieties. There are many pubs here that sell draft beer, and in Prague there is a restaurant that is more than five centuries old! Here you will try Czech cuisine, various types of beer (dark, light, coffee, banana) and feel the atmosphere of the old Czech Republic. The state is actively investing in the wine industry. Czech wines are called Moravian because most of the vineyards grow in Moravia.

5.Romania

Famous for its beer and wine. The country has such factories as Murfatlar, Cotnari, Dragasani. The country is one of the largest wine exporters. The total alcohol consumption in the country is 13.7 liters. Beer in the country accounts for 50% of consumption, wine 28.9%.

4. Russia

At the end of 2018, alcohol consumption by the population decreased slightly, but the country still entered the top five most drinkers in the world. The average Russian drinks 13.9 liters per year. alcohol. Women consume half as much – 6.8 liters. The national drink is vodka. IN Russia greater preference is given to vodka and beer; the purely Russian habit of choosing “white” has spread to other post-Soviet states, such as Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. It is in these countries that a person is more inclined, when drinking alcohol, to reach a state of extreme intoxication, like as quickly as possible. Russia's inclusion in the ranking of the most drinking countries is largely due to the relatively low cost of alcohol, compared to Europe - $4 per half liter, and the low standard of living. Recently, the number of Russians who prefer wine to other alcoholic beverages has increased.

3. Moldova

The country is dominated by the consumption of strong alcoholic beverages; their share is 64.5%, which is one of the highest rates in the world. For example, in Russia the share of strong alcohol accounts for 51%. 15.9 liters is the average alcohol consumption in Moldova.

2. Belarus

Belarus- the most drinking country in the world in 2016-2017. In 2018, it lost its “leadership” to Lithuania. Here, each resident drinks on average 16.4 liters. alcohol per year. The indicator decreased by 1 liter compared to 2016-2017 data. Moreover, 47% of people prefer strong drinks, only 17% prefer beer, 32% prefer other alcohol, and very little wine – 4%. Women also like to drink, on average 7 liters. in year. These figures are official, but the real ones are presumably much higher, since data on moonshine brewing in conservative Belarus could not be obtained.

1.Lithuania

Lithuania was named the most drinking country in 2018. At the end of 2018, alcohol consumption in Lithuania amounted to 18.2 liters per person. The share of costs for alcohol is 4.2%. According to this parameter, the country is among the top three “leaders”

In the country, beer and strong alcohol are predominantly consumed, 46.5% and 34.1%, respectively. Against the backdrop of a significant increase in alcohol consumption, the country's authorities are taking measures aimed at reducing the sale of alcoholic beverages. Excise taxes on alcohol were sharply increased, and temporary restrictions on sales were introduced.

The table shows per capita alcohol consumption in the 10 countries with the highest levels.

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.

A long-established stereotype claims that the hardest-drinking nation in the world is the Russians. They are followed by the British, and the third “honorable” position is occupied by the inhabitants of Ireland. But is this really so? What is this data based on?

Specially compiled lists of the most drinking countries help dispel misconceptions by replacing them with reality.
Here it would not be out of place to say that different people have different attitudes towards alcohol.

Some people see in it exclusively healing properties (not often and in moderate quantities), some are biased towards it, and others are always not averse to diversifying their menu with some kind of alcohol. It is the latter group of people who make up the not so pleasant statistics.

The list of the most “drinking” countries in the world includes:

1. Belarus

According to the data, Belarus is the country where people drink alcohol often and do it in large quantities. There are 17.5 liters of alcohol per person there, and this is quite a significant figure.

However, the researchers did not take into account illegal alcohol, and therefore the real numbers may be even higher.

2. Ukraine

There are 17.47 liters per inhabitant of Ukraine. Gorilka, the national product of this country, has been popular since the 17th century. There are also world-famous suppliers of alcoholic beverages in Ukraine.

3. Estonia

As the data showed, for every resident of Estonia there is about 17.24 liters of alcohol. Such indicators may seem strange, given the general perception of Tallinn as a quiet, calm town.

On the one hand, this is true, but on the other, the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, ancient castles - all this makes you want to travel back to the depths of centuries and enjoy the taste of wonderful ale. If you don’t have it, then beer will do just fine.

4. Czech Republic

Brewing and the Czech Republic are two inseparable concepts. Among the most famous local brands are Velkopopovicky Kozel; Pilsner and a number of others. Just a few years ago there was not a single house in the country where beer was not brewed.

The republic’s developed winemaking industry also gives the republic an impressive level of alcohol consumption.

The Czech Republic attracts a large number of tourists every year. For all those who want to enjoy the taste of real wine and beer, try a large number of their varieties, there is simply no better place than Prague.

5. Lithuania

Another place in the list of the most drinking countries belongs to Lithuania. The figure of 16.30 liters of alcohol per human soul “secured” this country fifth place.

One of the most famous alcoholic drinks in the country is Lithuanian mead. Produced since ancient times, this type of alcohol is presented in three versions.

6. Russia

Russia is far from the first, but not the last place in the list of the most drinking states. Alcohol per capita here reached 15 liters per year. Vodka and beer are especially popular among types of alcoholic drinks in Russia. However, one cannot help but take into account that from year to year the number of people choosing wine is increasing.

7. Ireland

A figure of 11.6 liters per year per human soul was recorded in Ireland. One of the most famous varieties of dark beer - Guinness - is prepared here. Ireland is also famous for its excellent whiskey. The only thing that clouds the current picture is the cost of drinks. So, one bottle of whiskey here will cost about 25 euros, a pint of beer will cost up to two euros.

8. Portugal and Spain

Excellent ripe vineyards simply cannot but be used for wine production. 11.4 liters per capita – these are the data shown by statistics. Among the most popular alcoholic drinks in Spain and Portugal is wine. Next place went to beer.

The total area of ​​vineyards in this country gives it third place in the world among the largest grape-growing countries. The number of varieties of grapes grown is also impressive - as many as 90!

9. Hungary

Hungary is another country famous for its vineyards. The amount of alcohol per capita here is 10.8 liters. At the same time, when making calculations, experts took into account absolutely all residents of the state who were already fifteen years old.

10. Denmark and Slovenia

The tenth position in the list of drinking states is shared between Slovenia and Denmark. 10.6 liters of alcohol per year per person – statistics.

The most revered drink with degrees in Denmark and Slovenia is quality beer. Next place goes to wine. The oldest vineyards in Europe are located in Maribor, and Denmark is a world-famous supplier of Carisberg and Tuborg beer.

All of the above indicators are close to the truth, however, we must not forget about some factors that can distort reality.

Alcohol consumption in the world is becoming one of the primary problems in a sufficiently large number of countries. The destructive addiction is spreading on all continents. Mortality from alcoholism, according to statistics, reaches 2.5 million people per year worldwide.

Consequences of alcoholism

The negative consequences of addiction affect not only the people who drink, but also those around them. And above all, families suffer. Alcohol is the cause of many illegal and unpleasant activities. Up to half of all crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol, families break up, and the younger generation suffers.

Most crimes, car accidents with serious consequences, cases of violence, serious harm to health, and so on are committed under the influence of alcohol. Women with alcohol addiction often give birth to defective offspring. The educational influence of drinking parents has an extremely negative impact on children, and the family’s financial support also suffers. Abandoned in such families, they often become homeless.

Alcoholism also has a negative impact on society. It can cause disruptions in the economy and even lead to economic and political crises.

Addiction to alcohol negatively affects literally all human organs, leading to serious damage and death of the body, becoming the cause of mental illness and loss of appearance, premature aging.

Alcoholism in Europe

According to established tradition, there is no concept of “alcoholism” and no records are kept of such patients. Europeans call such people “having problems with alcohol” and, according to various estimates, they number about 10-20%. Therefore, it is not possible to provide statistical data on this problem.

Europeans drink the most in the world. The conclusion suggests itself that in countries with high alcohol consumption, the standard and life expectancy should decline. However, this is not confirmed by statistical data.

The transition from alcohol use to alcohol abuse is influenced by various factors, such as:

The consequences of drinking in Europe

  • comfort of living in the country;
  • alcohol consumption culture;
  • traditional types of alcohol consumed in the country;
  • the prevailing attitude towards those suffering from this vice.

About the social roots of alcoholism

The generally accepted opinion is that representatives of low-status social strata with low income and standard of living are susceptible to the harmful effects of alcoholism. This implies a behavioral reaction to a failed life and dissatisfaction with one’s own situation. Of course, this kind of deviation also occurs among quite successful people, top-level politicians, and show business stars. But there are few mass phenomena of this kind in high circles. The very standard of living, communication, and life tasks require a person to constantly be in good shape and in adequate condition.

The culture of drinking alcohol in Europe does not imply an end in itself, but only accompaniment of the process of communication with others, therefore this level does not imply excessive consumption. In addition, the process of drinking alcohol occurs in public places - bars, pubs, restaurants, which also requires behavior of a certain level.

The level of prices for alcohol, which is several times higher than that in Russia, is also important. This applies not only to elite drinks, but also to ordinary vodka. This approach does not encourage excessive alcohol consumption.

Any type of alcohol contributes to the development of alcohol dependence, including beer, wine, and, especially, strong drinks, which are traditional in many territories. They affect alcoholism most aggressively in relatively short periods of time.

The comparison here is with wine-drinking Moldova. Having the highest level of alcohol consumption, it is characterized by the highest life expectancy.

Europe is characterized by a sensitive attitude towards people suffering from alcoholism. They try to involve them in public life, help them find a job, take a worthy place in society, and start a family. Alcoholics Anonymous societies are widespread, helping to provide psychological relief to addicted people, making it easier for them to fully return to society.

In general, it can be noted that Europeans are not concerned about the problem of alcoholism. They are more concerned about the problem of curing somatic diseases, which are also one of the consequences of a morbid addiction to alcohol.

Alcoholism in our country

The belief that Russians drink more than other countries is erroneous. Yes, they drink a lot, but there are many countries where it is more common. This opinion is formed for various reasons, including due to a number of specific features of the passion for alcohol in our country:

Alcoholism and drunkenness in numbers

Regarding this phenomenon, it is impossible to speak with certainty about the correctness of the data. In many countries there is no official registration of persons suffering from this defect.

And where such registration is carried out, it cannot be said that it is fully objective, because not everyone is registered in the relevant medical institutions, a significant part is not taken into account in such statistics.

It has been established that in communities without restrictions on the free sale of alcohol, the number of people wishing to receive medical help due to alcoholism is about 2%. Moreover, this figure is stable within the statistical error.

The number of “those who have problems,” that is, those who drink regularly but have not yet contacted doctors, is about 10 - 15%, and this figure is also stable for most countries.

For Russia, the number of people registered will be about 2.8 million people, latent alcoholics, respectively, 15 - 20 million.

Accordingly, in the EU countries this will be 1 million and 50 - 70 million people.

Alcohol rating by country

In the ranking of alcoholic countries, European countries occupy the first places, however, their attitude towards alcoholic beverages is ambiguous. Using data from 2014, we can identify some specific features. Let's pay attention to the top five countries leading in the consumption of alcoholic beverages:

Table 1

The top ten drinkers are the same.