Countries of the world by alcohol consumption. The most drinking countries in the world

In the spring of 2017, a World Health Organization (WHO) report 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 the developed countries of Western Europe, while the least drink is in the Muslim countries of the world, which is quite natural, given the attitude of Islam to 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 average world consumption rate 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 systematically abuse alcohol, in fact being alcoholics.

Top 10 drinking countries in the world 2017-2018

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

10 Australia

Opens the top ten countries in the world where they drink the most Australia. The so-called Australian way of life is inextricably linked to 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 Australian Aboriginal people, for whom drunkenness and alcoholism have become commonplace. Therefore, the state takes quite strict measures to combat this problem. So in the Northern Territory, where the largest number of the indigenous population of Australia 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 in 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 the age of 16), but also to the use of strong alcoholic beverages (allowed after 18 years). 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 fight not with alcohol in public places, but with direct violators of public order. True, there are very few of them in the country.

8

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

7 France

The inhabitants of the country, where vineyards occupy 58 million hectares, which is equal to two Belgiums in area, cannot but use 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 get into the rankings of the world's most drinking countries.

6

Alcohol has long been a part of the country's daily life and, apparently, the British themselves are not particularly concerned about this. The UK's world-famous pubs and restaurants are rarely empty, but what's most often seen on the tables of their patrons? Although Great Britain is the birthplace of many world-famous alcoholic beverages, including whiskey and gin, beer is drunk most of all in the country, including the original English drink - ale. Drinkers are not particularly prosecuted in the country and by law. So, in England and Wales, drinking in public places is not formally prohibited. In addition, British drivers, like their counterparts in most Western European countries, can afford to drink alcoholic beverages while driving. However, in strictly limited sizes.

5

Not only European countries are in the top 10 countries for alcohol consumption. South Korea ranked fifth 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 commonplace to end the working day in one of the drinking establishments) and on the streets of cities you can often meet tipsy people, including drunken teenagers, Koreans behave more or less decently, even when under the influence of a large amount of alcohol.

4

Both of these countries consume about 12 liters of pure alcohol per year, per person. The fact that Russia did not get into the top three can already be called an achievement for a country where the use of strong alcoholic beverages is a national tradition. But the fact remains, and for three years now, the country has seen a trend 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 such 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 grows, 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 rating. At the same time, seeing her so high on the list is rather unusual, because Latvians have not previously been noted for particular alcohol abuse. Nevertheless, 13 liters of pure alcohol - such an indicator per capita in Latvia leads WHO. The country is taking some measures designed to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In particular, alcohol advertising was banned back in 2014, but this did not lead to a tangible decrease in the level of consumption. At the same time, the data of another study show such unpleasant facts: the inhabitants of Latvia spend twice as much 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 adjacent to the leader, Lithuania, which means that the alcohol 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 up to 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 a general degradation of society and negatively affects future generations.

1

“The biggest drinker in Europe, and also the most drinking country in the world,” that 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 people of Lithuania and the local parliament immediately approved a number of changes to the legislation, which are designed to reduce alcohol consumption among the population of the country. So, from 2018, only persons who have reached the age of 20 will be able to buy alcoholic beverages. In addition, alcohol advertising will be completely banned in the country and temporary restrictions will be introduced on the sale of alcoholic beverages, both on weekdays and on holidays.

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

Measures taken to combat drunkenness

According to the same World Health Organization, the most effective measures to deal with problems with excessive drinking are:

Limiting access to alcohol, including for minors
Alcohol advertising ban
State pricing policy

Do not forget about the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the creation of conditions for an active pastime, excluding the use of alcoholic beverages. In Western European countries, the application 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 for appetite has always been considered commonplace, the same can be said about a glass of beer for a German.

4.6 (92%) 10 votes

Most alcohol is ignored by the inhabitants of the Islamic country of Yemen. The harsh "dry law" of Sharia does not allow them to entertain their minds and bodies with beer, wine or vodka either on holidays or on weekdays. Although many of them do not worry about the effect of this strict ban. Still, the Eastern mentality takes its toll.

However, not every nation can boast of such sobriety. Before you is just the opposite rating - the TOP of the most drinking countries on the planet.

Note. Alcohol consumption statistics are expressed in portions. 1 serving is 340 grams of beer, dry wine or 42 grams of vodka or 140 grams of fortified wine.

1st place - South Korea

Strange as it may seem, the list of drunk ten is headed by capitalist Korea. And all because the men and women of this country are very fond of drinking the national drink soju - rice vodka. It is clear and has a sweet taste. And it contains nothing less than 20 to 40 percent alcohol. The average Korean's appetite for fortified potion is 13.7 (nearly 14) servings per week. That is approximately 4.5 liters of dry wine.

The fact that “imaginary fun” harms the body, many South Koreans for the most part know, but deliberately reject. For them, sozhou, beer and other alcoholic drinks are a universal cure for fatigue, a pleasant-tasting anti-stress. And I must say, the inhabitants of this state get tired a lot. After all, the working day, established by local legislation, is one of the longest in the world. Here, in fact, the nation in the person of the working people and relaxes as much as possible.

For example, Seoul banker So Song Pom prefers to establish business contacts over a glass of something intoxicating. According to him, it is difficult to find business understanding with partners in the office. Another thing is the informal atmosphere in a restaurant or bar. As part of a warm meeting, business issues are successfully resolved, and no one has a desire to “get the hell out of it”.

But, as they say, this is only one of the concepts. The South Korean police have their own opinion about the passion for degrees of compatriots. Officer Chan, based on his experience and his colleagues in law enforcement, says that the scale of urban drunkenness, at least in certain areas of Seoul, is steadily increasing. “Increasingly, the police have to arrest drunk offenders,” says Chan.

Needless to say, contrasts... Over the past 20 years, the South Korean Health Association has been actively conducting various actions and activities to reduce alcohol consumption in the country. In particular, at the direction of the organization, prices for alcohol periodically increase, sales volume and advertising of drinks with degrees are limited. Who knows, perhaps the efforts of the organization will pay off handsomely and in the state a healthy lifestyle will have the status of a strict priority.

Second place - Russia

For some reason, residents of many countries of the world have an opinion about what Russia is, solely on the basis of stereotypes: balalaika, bears, earflaps, nesting dolls and, of course, vodka. Yes, especially vodka, and in large quantities, as an integral attribute of the Russian soul and, in fact, Russian traditions. Nevertheless, in the TOP "The most drinking countries" Russia concedes an honorable first place. Russians consume alcohol almost 2 times less than Koreans. Their weekly norm of "green serpent" averages 6.3 servings. They prefer light drinks, wine and beer, fortified compounds - vodka, cognac, moonshine.

As opposed to the true Russian tradition "Beer without vodka - money down the drain!" Health experts of the Russian Federation claim that, after all, the population has lost interest in the forty-degree “spiritual balm”. This is the merit of both anti-alcohol manifestos and state policy. A special struggle for sobriety in the regions of Russia began in the 2010s. A law was introduced prohibiting the sale of alcohol at night, excise prices increased, and measures were tightened to curb the illegal production of alcohol.

Third place - Philippines

Not only exotic landscapes, a unique ecosystem and the most beautiful beaches of this country attract tourists. In parallel with the charms of mother nature, they also like to enjoy local drinks - rum and beer of various varieties. In fairness, it should be noted that the Filipinos, the aboriginal islanders, are not averse to having a glass or two of some kind of alcoholic drink, especially in the exhausting heat. In total, this is the approximate norm per inhabitant of the Philippines - 5.4 servings of alcohol.

The pirate drink of the islands captivates with its aromas and tastes even people who are absolutely indifferent to the degree. To make white rum, local craftsmen use fruits, molasses, caramel and vanilla. It is considered a light drink. But for sophisticated "gourmets" masters produce a special kind of rum - "strong". The alcohol content in it can reach more than 75%. Some tourists-tasters remember "acquaintance" with this explosive liquid for a long time. The Filipinos call golden rum an aged drink made from cane sugar and caramel with light shades of wood. So if you're planning a holiday in the Philippines, don't let yourself be consumed by the temptations of alcohol.

Fourth place - Thailand

One of the best tourist oases in the world. And, as you know, where rest and entertainment, there is alcohol. Alcohol in Thai bars, restaurants, discos can be found not only in a fair amount, but also in a slightly dizzying variety. Cocktails, mixes, shakes, and just classic light and strong drinks “in their pure form” - all of them in bottles with cool condensate insidiously invite vacationers and locals to get rid of thirst and improve their mood. And you know, many succumb to this temptation. The statistics are as follows: 4.5 servings of alcohol per week.

Bia - Thai beer is in the greatest demand in Thailand. In supermarkets, a bottle of this drink can be bought for 35-100 baht, or $1-3. Moreover, both local and foreign production: Singha Light, Chang Draft, Leo, Archa, Phuket Beer, Federbräu, Heineken. For a greater antipyretic effect, Thais add pieces of ice to beer.

Thrill-seekers do not pass by Thai rum and Mekhong whiskey. Locals recommend drinking Mekong with soda or cola. (Perhaps it is these “advisers” who increase the statistics of fluid consumption with degrees in the country.)

Fifth place - Japan

Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun consume alcohol at lunch and dinner, in public transport, on the subway or train to pass the time of the trip. And in the spring, to sip fortified drinks, they gather in large noisy companies in the parks. Especially when cherry blossoms. And imagine, the guardians of the order do not disturb them exactly until they cause any damage or violate public order. That is, observing the limits of decency, in Japan you can drink even in public places. But only, of course, if you're not driving. In this case, other rules of law apply. Those who ride drunk face job loss and imprisonment.

On average, the Japanese drink 4.4 drinks per week. The diet of fortified drinks consists of beer, whiskey and traditional sake (rice vodka).

6th place - Bulgaria

When Bulgarians start talking about alcohol, they immediately remember the saying: "Russians drink and eat, and Bulgarians eat and drink." Although the level of alcoholism in Bulgaria exceeds the European average. The favorite drink of the population of this country is "rakia" (fruit moonshine). Not a single festival or significant event can do without it. Rakia is made by home-grown and industrial methods. The quality varieties of this drink are not inferior in terms of the number of degrees and taste properties of brandy. And Bulgarians consume about 3.9 servings of alcohol per week.

Seventh place - Ukraine

Ukrainians, like Bulgarians, prefer national traditions in terms of alcohol. Or rather, Ukrainian vodka - "vodka". The first samples of this national product with a solid number of degrees appeared in the 17th century. Many historical documents testify to this. In those distant times, vodka was also called “hot wine”. Well, now vodka combined with beer and wine per Ukrainian in terms of portions accounts for 3.9 units per 1 week.

Eighth place - Slovakia

The main drink of the country is wine. From year to year, the viticultural regions of Slovakia delight the inhabitants with a harvest and inspire them to gourmet winemaking. The end product, that is, wine, turns out to be delicious and healthy for them. What is the variety "Slovak Sparkling Hubert" worth. However, stronger drinks of Slovak production are not without nobility - Karpatsk brandy, Torec and Demnovka liqueurs. In terms of statistics in Slovakia, they consume approximately 3.8 servings per week.

Ninth place - Brazil

Brazilian alcohol addictions are somewhat similar to Russian ones. 30% of Brazilians frankly admit that they are not averse to sipping something fortified at least once a week. And in the ratio of servings, the amount of alcohol they drink is 3.6 units.

Tenth place - USA

America in the TOP of alcoholic countries got the last place. Yes, there are plenty of places where you can be tempted by alcohol in this country. In every US state there are hundreds, thousands of bars, discos, casinos, restaurants. But strict federal laws don't really allow Americans to indulge in liquor. In particular, the country has an age limit - it is allowed to drink alcohol for boys and girls who have reached the age of 21. As a result, there are 3.3 servings of alcohol per US citizen.

Of course, looking at the TOP, it becomes clear that every nation has its favorite alcoholic drink, however, as well as their traditions, holidays. However, health care organizations of each of the countries represented (without exception!) also traditionally insistently warn: “Dear citizens! Alcohol is bad for your health!

Surely many have heard the statement that the most drinking people live in Russia. But if you look at alcohol consumption by country, a rather interesting picture emerges. It turns out that due to historical moments and national traditions, the problem of alcohol is acute in many states.

Key Causes of Alcoholism

Before moving on to statistics, it is worth understanding what exactly makes people drink. Here are the main reasons:

Urbanization. People who cannot cope with the stress of the fast pace of life in the big city are increasingly relaxing over a glass of liquor.
Economic, political and social problems, as well as natural disasters. Modern man, without realizing it, is in constant fear for his life and well-being. As a rule, alcohol is used as a sedative.
Low alcohol prices. Due to the illiterate government policy in the field of price control, alcohol becomes affordable. Probably everyone has heard the life anecdote that a bottle of beer costs less than a bottle of milk.

Uganda

Among African countries, Uganda has the most disappointing rates of alcohol consumption. The main part of the population drinks a strange banana-based drink, which, most likely, will not appeal to a foreign tourist. Previously, this recipe was used to maintain the morale of warriors. Another popular drink in Uganda is Ajono. This is a fermented beer that the locals like to drink through a thin straw.

Italy

We can say that Italians drink relatively little - about 8 liters per person per year. The mass production of wine made this drink a part of the national culture. Each meal is necessarily accompanied by a glass. Diluted wine is also given to children from an early age.

Australia

About 9-10 liters of strong Australians consume annually. Addiction to alcohol is a historical feature. The fact is that in ancient times, strong rum was a real monetary currency, which was actively used for settlement in trade operations and transactions. When Australia was a British colony, people considered drinking quite common and even normal. Now alcohol in the country is gradually losing popularity. Nevertheless, many honor the tradition of drinking to unconsciousness.

Denmark

Looking at alcohol consumption by country, it is not surprising why Denmark is in the ranking. Each citizen of the state annually drinks almost 10.7 liters of strong strong drinks. They especially love wine and beer. As a rule, addiction begins to form from adolescence (about 15 years). The situation is not catastrophic, but alarming. It is believed that the Danes still drink a little, since alcohol is expensive in the country.

Great Britain

A little more than 10 liters of strong alcohol is consumed annually by every Briton. It is believed that with the first glass they drink, they lose their sense of proportion. In this regard, it is not surprising that the number of people suffering from cirrhosis of the liver has increased significantly over the past decade. And all because alcohol in the UK can be consumed around the clock, pubs and bars also have flexible hours.

Spain

Alcohol consumption varies across countries. For example, in Spain there are 11.4 liters of hard liquor per person annually. This is usually port, wine and beer. People's addiction to alcohol is due to two factors. The first is developed winemaking. Thanks to the large areas of plantations, Spain ranked third in the world in wine production. The second reason is hot weather. During the siesta, the Spaniards like to quench their thirst with cold beer with ice. In the evening, multi-component cocktails are in demand.

Finland

An impressive volume of strong alcohol consumption can boast of conditions of almost year-round cold is not at all easy. Low air temperature and lack of sunlight encourages people to seek solace in alcohol. Alcoholism is the leading cause of death in this country. Most cardiovascular and oncological diseases in people aged 15 to 70 are caused precisely by excessive alcohol consumption. Despite the fact that the authorities are strenuously fighting this problem and introducing all kinds of restrictive measures, the common people seem to ignore them.

Germany

Considering alcohol consumption by country, Germany cannot be ignored. There are about 12 liters of strong alcohol per person per year. Of course, the most impressive share is occupied by beer. This drink is sold literally everywhere. Even at newsstands. And it is quite inexpensive by local standards. In Germany, there is no ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places, and beer festivals are often held.

France

In France, alcohol consumption per capita is about 14 liters. Despite the fact that red wine is considered the main drink of the refined French, cheaper beer is in the first place in terms of consumption. But still, you should not write off the grape drink. The French love it and are well versed in it. Good red wine is considered an essential part of the daily meal.

Czech

Alcohol consumption in the world is growing relentlessly. The Czech Republic is approximately on the same level with France. The inhabitants of the country revere and actively drink their national treasure - Becherovka. Also part of the Czech culture is beer. It is here that drinks of world famous brands are produced (for example, "Velkopopovetsky Kozel", "Pilsner" and others). The wine industry is also developing thanks to extensive plantations in Moravia.

Russia

Alcohol consumption in Russia is about 15 liters per person. The main share falls on vodka. Second is beer. Russia's entry into countries is also caused by the price of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are many times cheaper than, for example, in Europe. Fortunately, thanks to government policy, the population's craving for alcohol is gradually decreasing. There is also a growing interest of the population in quality wine, which is less detrimental to health than vodka.

Ukraine

Studying the most drinking countries, it is impossible not to say about Ukraine. Here, about 17 liters of alcohol per person per year. The whole problem lies in the weak regulatory policy of the state in relation to the alcohol market. Low prices and availability of alcohol - all this becomes the reason for introducing people to alcohol from a young age. In addition, there are many enterprises for the production of alcoholic beverages in the country. In the first place in popularity is vodka. On the second - beer, and on the third - wine.

Belarus

Belarus in 2016 took first place in the ranking of "The most drinking countries in the world". Each inhabitant of the country accounts for almost 18 liters of alcohol per year. It should be noted that when compiling the statistics, alcohol was not taken into account. And moonshine, as you know, is a problem in Belarus and other post-Soviet countries.

Who drinks the least

Alcohol consumption statistics over the past few years indicate that the most non-drinking country is Yemen. A few milliliters per capita per year. And all because Islam, which is professed by the vast majority of the population, prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages, up to Sharia punishment. In Somalia, Pakistan, Kuwait, Libya and other Muslim countries next to Yemen, the rate of alcohol consumption is also low.

Conclusion

The World Health Organization has been ranking countries by alcohol consumption for many years in a row. The limit value is considered to be 8 liters per capita per year. It is believed that if such an indicator lasts for several years, we are talking about genetic alcoholism. This problem can cause problems with the health and mental development of future generations. At the moment, most European countries are at risk.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for alcohol consumption statistics at the global level. The organization conducts a large-scale study of this problem every five years. The last policy report on this topic was published by WHO in 2014.

In the European tradition, there is no such stigma as "sick with alcoholism." It is customary for them to talk about "people who have problems with alcohol." The figure is called 10-15% of people from the entire population who have such problems of varying severity.

There is no narcological registration of alcoholics in Europe, therefore, it is impossible to name the percentage of patients with alcoholism in our understanding of this phrase.

Europeans are the most drunk people in the world. It is logical to assume that in countries with a large amount of alcohol consumed, a greater percentage of people dependent on alcohol and a shorter life expectancy. However, statistical data show that there is no rigid relationship between these factors.

Indirect factors influence the transformation of alcohol consumption into its abuse, namely:

The standard of living of people.
The culture of drinking.
Types of alcoholic beverages that the population mainly consumes.
Attitude towards alcoholics.

Alcoholism, according to generally accepted opinion, is characteristic of social groups with low status, education and income. Of course, alcoholism affects well-off members of society, for example, those belonging to show business and the entertainment industry. However, these cases are isolated and, like any exceptions, only confirm the general rule. A high standard of living is associated with a well-paid job, certain obligations, and an appropriate circle of acquaintances. Taken together, these factors do not initially suggest alcohol abuse.

The culture of drinking that exists in European countries also prevents people from sliding into abuse. There it is customary to drink in bars and pubs, while drinking does not turn into an end in itself, but accompanies spending time in a pleasant company.

It should also be borne in mind that alcohol in European countries is not cheap and is several times higher than the cost of domestic alcoholic beverages.

This applies to both regular vodka and branded drinks. The high price puts up barriers to drinking. Connoisseurs of quality alcoholic beverages drink a little.

The types of alcoholic beverages consumed have an impact on the alcoholization of the population. In theory, over long periods of time, alcoholism can be formed by drinking beer, wine, any other drink. However, the abuse of hard liquor makes the formation of alcoholism faster and more aggressive. For example, in Moldova, with one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption (mainly in the form of wine), life expectancy is one of the highest in Europe.

Finally, the attitude towards people with alcoholism in Europe is characterized by humanity and the promotion of their inclusion in the surrounding life. For this purpose, there are groups of Alcoholics Anonymous, various trainings and psychotherapeutic courses that help addicted people not to feel like useless outcasts. A high level of socio-psychological assistance to patients with alcoholism prevents the occurrence of relapses and promotes the socialization of patients with alcoholism, they are helped by:

Apply for a job.
Create a family.
In hard situations.

In general, it can be noted that in Europe the problem of alcoholism is not considered paramount. European society is more concerned with the treatment of somatic diseases, which are caused by the use of alcohol in any quantities.

Situation in Russia

It is a deep delusion that people drink more in Russia than anywhere else. They drink a lot, but at the same time there are countries where they drink more. An erroneous opinion about the extreme spread of alcoholism in Russia is formed against the background of the general situation with the use of alcohol, which in Russia has its own local specifics:

The listed nuances of drinking alcohol in Russia determine what is called the national drinking habit.

With regard to alcoholism, it is difficult to talk about objective figures. First, not all countries maintain official records of alcohol abusers.

Secondly, even where it is conducted, for example, in Russia, it is difficult to understand how much the official figures reflect the real picture: after all, apart from those registered in the narcological dispensary, a significant part of the abusers do not fall into this statistics.

In societies where alcoholic beverages are openly available, the percentage of people seeking medical help for addiction has been shown to be stable at 2%. The indicator may fluctuate at the level of statistical error from country to country.

The percentage of people who have "problems with alcohol", i.e. abusers who have not yet sought medical help due to addiction is stable and ranges from 10% to 15%. This indicator is universal and is true for all countries and societies in which alcohol is freely available.

If we translate these percentages into the number of people using the example of Russia, we get the following picture. The first figure, representing those registered with or seeking treatment for addiction, is 2.8 million. The second figure, indicating the number of people who have "problems with alcohol" or abuse alcohol, is 14-21 million people.

For the European Union, with a population of 500 million, these figures are 10 million and 51-76 million, respectively.

Despite the fact that the first lines in the leaders in alcohol consumption are confidently and traditionally occupied by European countries, the attitude of European residents to alcohol is heterogeneous and differentiated by country.

Consider the states that are in the top five with the highest alcohol consumption per capita. Data based on 2014 WHO report.

Belarus:

The country with the most drinking population: 17.5 liters of alcohol equivalent per capita per year.
26.5% of the population drink alcohol.
The proportion of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 34.7%.
Life expectancy - 72.1 g.

16.8 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.
32.2% of the population drink alcohol.
The proportion of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 33.1%.
Life expectancy - 81.4 g.

Life expectancy - 73.9 g.
The proportion of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 30.9%.
36.7% of the population drink alcohol.
15.4 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.

15.1 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.
19.3% of the population consumes alcohol.
The proportion of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 30.5%.
Life expectancy - 70.5 g.

14.4 liters of alcohol equivalent per year.
7.9% of the population consumes alcohol.
The proportion of deaths associated with the consequences of alcohol consumption is 8.9%.
Life expectancy - 68.7 g.

The top ten countries with the highest alcohol consumption also included other countries in central and eastern Europe:

Ukraine (13.9 l).
Andorra (13.8 l).
Hungary (13.3 l).
Czech Republic (13 l).
Slovakia (13 l).

Economically developed countries are ranked in the following positions:

18th place - France (12.2 liters).
23rd place - Germany (11.8 liters).
25th place - Great Britain (11.6 l).
42nd place - the Netherlands (9.9 l).
48th place - USA (9.2 l).
141st place - Israel (2.8 l)

When people talk about death from alcoholism, they mean a complex of causes associated with alcohol abuse. This:

Accidents - 29.6%.
Oncological diseases - 21.6%.
Cirrhosis of the liver - 16.6%.
Cardiovascular diseases - 14%.
Other reasons - 18.2%.

On average, 4% of deaths worldwide every year are caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This corresponds to 2.5 million people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2014 a report on alcohol consumption in the world (as of 2010), which presented data on how many liters of pure alcohol are consumed per year by people over the age of 15 in different countries. Let's see who was in the top ten most drinking countries in the world.

10 PHOTOS

10th place. Slovakia. Alcohol consumption by an average citizen of this country in terms of pure alcohol is 13 liters, with an average consumption in the European region of 10.9 liters. At the same time, the male population of Slovakia drinks 20.5 liters per person, the female - 6.1 liters. (Photo: Renata Opprecht/flickr.com).

How much pure alcohol does alcoholic beverages contain, for example, wine with a strength of 13 degrees? 750 milliliters of this wine contains only 97.5 milliliters of pure alcohol. Now try to imagine how much you need to drink it so that the average consumption in the country is like that of the “world record holder for alcohol consumption” or 17.5 liters of pure alcohol per year!?

9th place. Czech Republic. The average annual consumption of pure alcohol per 1 inhabitant of the country over 15 years old is 13 liters, including 18.6 liters for men and 7.8 liters for women. (Photo: flamedot/flickr.com).

8th place. Hungary. Each inhabitant of this country over the age of 15 drinks 13.3 liters of pure alcohol per year, while men - 20.4 liters, women - 7.1 liters. (Photo: Matteo Muratore/flickr.com).

7th place. Andorra. 13.8 liters of pure alcohol per year is drunk by the average citizen of this country over 15 years old, while among men consumption is 19.5 liters per person, among women - 8.2 liters. (Photo: JK04/flickr.com).

6th place. Ukraine. Each inhabitant of this country over the age of 15 drinks 13.9 liters of pure alcohol per year, while men - 22 liters, women - 7.2 liters. (Photo: alxpn/flickr.com).

5th place. Romania. The average resident (over 15 years old) of Romania drinks 14.3 liters of pure alcohol per year, while men - 22.6 liters, women - 6.8 liters. (Photo: Matt Bigwood/flickr.com).

4th place. Russia. The average annual consumption of pure alcohol per 1 inhabitant of Russia aged 15 years and older is 15.1 liters. Men drink 23.9 liters per year, women - 7.8 liters. (Photo: Ilya Klenkov/flickr.com).

3rd place. Lithuania. An average resident (over 15 years old) of Lithuania drinks 15.4 liters of pure alcohol per year, while men consume an average of 24.4 liters, women 7.9 liters. (Photo: Michael Pretzsch/flickr.com).

2nd place. Moldova. The average annual consumption of pure alcohol per inhabitant of Moldova over 15 years old is 16.8 liters, including 25.9 liters per man and 8.9 liters per woman. (Photo: Andreas G/flickr.com).

1 place. Belarus has become the world record holder for the consumption of pure alcohol per capita. During the year, the average resident of Belarus over 15 years old drinks 17.5 liters of pure alcohol, while men drink an average of 27.5 liters, and women 9.1 liters. (Photo: Radio Svaboda/flickr.com).

Alcohol is currently causing more deaths globally than HIV/AIDS, pneumonia and violence combined. In Belarus, the problem of alcoholism is becoming truly catastrophic, it affects almost every family. And the social and economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption become a heavy burden not only for a single family, but for the whole society. The only way to get rid of alcohol addiction is treatment. There are many methods of complex treatment of alcoholism, both drug and non-drug, as well as innovative programs, which can be found on netzavisimosti.by. Help your loved ones! Alcoholism is a disease that needs to be treated like any other!