Worldwide popular beverage alcohol has a considerable social significance in many societies. There are many drunkest country in the world where its consumption, though, reaches remarkable heights. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 most alcoholic countries with the highest alcohol consumption rates. We will discover their unique drinking customs and the elements that helped them achieve such high ranks.
What You Should Know About Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drinks come from a procedure called fermentation. When foods like grains, fruits, or vegetables combine with microscopic living organisms like yeasts or bacteria, this occurs. These microscopic critters produce ethanol and carbon dioxide by eating the sugars in the meal. Fermented beverages include beer and wine.
Stronger alcoholic beverages exist. They are referred to as “hard alcohols,” such as whisky. They undergo distillation, a further process. They have more alcohol and flavor since this removes part of the water.
Alcohol is like a prescription drug. It belongs to the category of depression medications. You might feel more at ease and a little thrilled after having a small amount, such as one or two glasses of beer. Yet, having more can make you go more slowly. Your movements are slower, you react slowly, and your speech could be slurred.
They specify the legal drinking age, which is typically 18 or 21, depending on where you live. In several locations, it’s illegal to carry open alcohol in public. Stores and restaurants require a specific permit to sell it. Additionally, it is illegal to drive a car after drinking too much (drunk driving).
Alcohol Problems and The Effects of Excessive Drinking
Alcoholism is when a person drinks excessive amounts of alcohol and becomes obsessed with it. It’s like a disease. Not everyone who drinks alcohol in excess develops an addiction. The amount of alcohol consumption isn’t always related to the incidence of this issue.
Drinking excessively refers to either binge drinking or heavy drinking, which refers to excessive drinking regularly. For women, excessive drinking is around eight or more drinks a week. It averages 15 or more drinks each week for men. Women who drink a lot have four or more drinks at once, whereas men need five or more.
Excessive drinking can be harmful to your health. It can severely harm your heart, causing excessive blood pressure, issues with heartbeat, and possibly heart disease. Additionally, it can damage your liver, causing conditions like cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and fatty liver. Alcohol can even cause various types of cancer like in your head, neck, liver, breast, and colon. Additionally, drinking affects your thinking and movement, which increases the chance of accidents, particularly when driving.
Alcohol Consumption Worldwide
Every country has a different alcohol consumption culture. This is the consequence of the laws there, how people live there, and other factors. The World Health Organisation (WHO) analyzed the consumption of alcohol in all countries. They measured it in pure alcohol liters. This covers everything, such as wine, beer, and other drinks.
For example, a large bottle of vodka (1.75 liters) contains about 300 milliliters of alcohol in its purest form. Additionally, a standard beer or glass of wine (such as those served at restaurants) contains roughly 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. Now let’s find alcohol consumption by country.
The Top 10 Countries Where People Drink the Most Alcohol
1. Czechia, (14.26 liters):
With an average of 14.26 liters per person, Czechia leads the world in alcohol consumption. The Czechs are famous for having a long history of producing and consuming a diverse range of beers. Czechia is one of the drunkest country in the world. Czechia is famous for its wild tourists who come for fun travels and parties, but it also appears that the Czech people adore their great beer. They have unique techniques for pouring foamy beer. Like Pilsner, Czech beer is old, yet they’re continually improving it.
2. Latvia, (13.19 liters):
Latvia comes in second place with 13.19 liters of alcohol drunk per person on average. Toasts with a range of spirits and regional beverages are often a part of traditional Latvian festivals. Even though Latvia may not fit the vodka label. This nation was formerly a part of the Soviet Union. But it’s not just vodka; they also especially enjoy whisky.
3. Moldova, (12.85 liters):
The average annual alcohol intake in Moldova is 12.85 liters. Moldovan culture places a unique emphasis on wine, with many homes making their own using grapes that are farmed nearby.
4. Germany, (12.79 liters):
Germans are well-known for enjoying alcohol. Germany, famous for its beer festivals, comes in fourth place with an average consumption of 12.79 liters per person. They prefer sparkling beverages in addition to beer. German cuisine, which frequently includes meals like bratwurst, is severely entrenched with beer.
5. Lithuania, (12.78 liters):
Lithuania is in fifth place, consuming 12.78 liters per person on average. The country’s drinking culture includes both conventional alcoholic beverages and modern spirits. Not many people in Lithuania consume alcohol daily in the EU. However, when they do drink, it’s usually for a month straight. They enjoy strong beverages other than beer and vodka. They enjoy Cava as well, which is gaining popularity in this Baltic country.
6. Ireland, (12.75 liters):
Alcohol consumption per person in Ireland is 12.75 liters. A universal symbol, the Irish bar is a place where people gather for socializing, live music, and drinking. Some individuals believe that Irish people truly enjoy their whisky and stout beer. But we’re not sure if they sip whisky straight from a jar. However, Ireland’s alcohol regulations are becoming increasingly strict.
7. Spain, (12.67 liters):
Spain’s average consumption, which reflects its love of wine and communal drinking, is 12.67 liters. They drink a lot of alcohol. Thus, they are one of the most alcoholic countries. Spaniards usually drink a glass of red or white wine with their meals. Spain produces a tonne of beer and is a leading producer of the drink. And they produce more wine than anyone else save Italy. Perhaps the pleasant weather in the Mediterranean region encourages more drinking.
8. Uganda, (12.48 liters):
Unexpectedly, Uganda, with a consumption rate of 12.48 liters per person, is included on this list. Banana- and other ingredient-based local brews are a crucial component of Ugandan festivities. The fact that residents in this East African nation enjoy drinking. Additionally, they demand more South African wine. They made more purchases in 2017 than they did before the pandemic began.
9. Bulgaria, (12.46 liters):
Bulgaria’s average alcohol consumption is 12.46 liters. Although Bulgarian beverages are not well-known abroad, the locals enjoy them a lot. The country has a long history of making alcoholic drinks like rakia, a fruit brandy popular during celebrations. They produce excellent wine, and people are noticing it not just in Bulgaria but also in the Black Sea region.
10. Luxembourg, (12.45 liters):
The average for Luxembourg, which completes the top 10, is 12.45 liters. Despite its modest size, the country has a vibrant drinking culture influenced by its neighboring countries. There are a lot of Portuguese, French, and German citizens in this tiny nation. Thus, it is not surprising that they enjoy wine. Due to the extremely low cost of wine in comparison to Belgium, many tourists from the area travel there. Here, the legal drinking age is 16 years old. However, Luxembourg is drinking less wine these days. For charitable purposes.
Factors Influencing High Alcohol Consumption
These countries have high rates of alcohol use for several reasons:
- Cultural Norms: Alcohol is closely linked to festivities, rituals, and social gatherings in many of these nations. Thus, people like to drink more in terms of enjoyment.
- Economic Factors: Alcohol availability and affordability affect consumption rates. Alcohol consumption is frequently higher in nations with lower alcohol prices and fewer restrictions.
- Traditional Drinks: Due to their cultural significance, traditional alcoholic beverages are more commonly consumed in countries with a history of producing them.
- Social Drinking: Alcohol is often a part of social norms surrounding socializing. Higher consumption can come from this, especially in nations where gatherings are common.
Conclusion:
These countries use a lot of alcohol, but we should keep in mind their culture and history. Drinking excessively isn’t always a bad thing. It occasionally plays a role in their celebrations and how they interact with others. We can understand people’s behaviour and motivations better when we consider how alcohol is used in other cultures.
