Contrary to popular stereotype, not all peoples of the former post-Soviet space are the most drinkers on the planet, including Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. The World Health Organization's (WHO) latest global report on alcohol consumption in the world – Global status report on alcohol and health 2018 – confirms this fact. In the top ten ranking of the most drinking countries were only three representatives of the former Soviet Union – Moldova, Lithuania and Latvia.

Important. In previous similar WHO reports from 2005 and 2010, Russia and Ukraine were in the top 5 most drinking countries in the world.

Unfortunately, as a result of excessive alcohol consumption about 3 million people die annually on our planet, three quarters of them are men. In general, alcoholic beverages provoke at least 5% of deadly diseases. Other negative consequences to which alcohol addiction leads include violence, trauma, mental illness, and more. In some predominantly Muslim countries, alcohol is completely banned, such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. And in others, the norms and culture of consumption vary considerably.

Next, let's highlight the current list of the world's most drinking and non-drinking countries in 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Note. Annual alcohol consumption (pure ethanol in liters) per capita (men and women aged 15 and older) is taken into account.


1. Moldova
2. Lithuania
3. Czech Republic
4. Nigeria
5. Germany
6. Ireland
7. Luxembourg
8. Latvia
9. Bulgaria
10. Romania
11. Slovenia
12. France
13. Portugal
14. Belgium
15. Seychelles
16. Russia
17. Austria
18. Poland
19. Estonia
20. United Kingdom

Important. The most drinking country in the world in 2021 is Moldova.


1. Bangladesh
2. Kuwait
3. Libya
4. Mauritania
5. Somalia
6. Yemen
7. Afghanistan
8. Saudi Arabia
9. Pakistan
10. Syria
11. Egypt
12. Iraq
13. Brunei
14. Kiribati
15. Niger
16. Djibouti
17. Sudan
18. Bhutan
19. Morocco
20. Senegal

According to the WHO, only five countries - Bangladesh, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania and Somalia - do not drink alcohol at all. Over the past decade, there has been significantly less drinking in Australia, Canada, Great Britain and Russia, and more in Vietnam, India and Japan.

In terms of overall prevalence among the adult population, drinking is highest in Western Europe and Australia, and lowest in North Africa and the Middle East. At the same time, the drinking culture even in neighboring countries with similar mentalities differs markedly. For example, Italians and Spaniards drink more often, but in much smaller doses than Greeks and Portuguese. Men in all countries of the world consume more alcohol than women.

The Lancet, one of the UK's most famous and respected medical journals, conducted a large study that showed that between 1990 and 2017, individual alcohol consumption increased dramatically in all regions of the world (by 70% overall).

The negative trend will continue in the next decade (until 2030). At the same time, according to scientists' estimates, alcohol consumption has been decreasing in Europe in recent years, while it has been increasing in Southeast Asia. This is primarily due to the growth of income in some Asian countries.

If we compare life expectancy in countries around the world with rates of alcohol consumption, there is very little dependence. For example, Germans drink twice as much alcohol as Filipinos, but live on average 10 years longer. On the other hand, Japanese citizens drink little and have one of the highest life expectancies on the planet.

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