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A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the end of "Dry January" shows that the total consumption of pure alcohol, i.e. beer, wine, sparkling wine and spirits per person aged 15 and over in the EU fell by 0.5 litres between 2010 and 2020. Nevertheless, Europeans still consumed the most alcohol worldwide.
From 1980 to 2020, alcohol consumption in the EU countries fell by a total of 23 per cent from 12.7 litres to 9.8 litres. This trend slowed down from 2000 onwards. At that time, the average consumption per adult was 10.5 litres.
If all 53 European countries are included, including Russia and other neighbouring countries, consumption fell by 21 per cent from 12 litres in 2000 to 9.5 litres in 2020. Latvia had the highest per capita alcohol consumption this year with 12.1 litres, followed by the Czech Republic (11.6 litres), Lithuania (11.4 litres) and Austria with 11.3 litres. In Germany, 10.6 litres are consumed annually, in the UK 9.7 litres, in France 10.4 litres, in Spain 7.8 litres and in Italy 7.7 litres.
Alcohol consumption fell in 25 countries between 2010 and 2020. 2.1 litres less was consumed in Ireland and Lithuania during this period, and 2 litres less in Spain and Greece. The Netherlands, France, Cyprus and Finland recorded a decrease of over 1.5 litres. In Serbia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland and Germany, the decrease was between one and 1.5 litres.
Greece recorded the highest percentage decrease at 24.1 per cent, followed by the Netherlands (20.9 per cent), Spain (20.4 per cent) and Turkey (20 per cent). Ireland, Serbia, Lithuania, Finland, France and Cyprus also recorded a decline of more than 15 per cent.
An increase was recorded in eleven countries, led by Latvia with an increase of 2.3 litres or 23.5 percent. This was followed by Bulgaria (1.4 litres), Malta (1.1 litres), Romania and Poland (1 litre each). In Norway, Italy and Iceland, the increase was over 0.5 litres.
A study by the OECD also emphasises the role of gender and education. Men drink more often than women, and people with a higher level of education drink more than those with a lower level of education, which is probably also linked to higher disposable income. However, according to this study, alcohol-related health damage is greater among people of lower socio-economic status.
(al / Source: Euronews)