The World Health Organization, WHO, estimated that nearly 2.3 billion people consume alcohol in its sixth global report of 2024, as reported by Alcohol Help.
Alcohol has always been more than just a drink. It’s a cultural ritual, a social glue, and for some countries, a proud part of their national identity. However, behind the cheers and clinking glasses, the world’s alcohol consumption levels are staggering, with alarming numbers.
Alcohol consumption is generally measured in liters of pure alcohol, expressed as a percentage, mixed in beer, wine, and spirits. With comparable content, the AVP ranges around 5% in beer, 12% for wine, and 40% for spirits.
The global average? Around 5.5 liters of pure alcohol consumption per person, year after year. Yet in some countries, these numbers are doubling, raising both cultural fascination and health concerns.
Countries With High Alcohol Consumers
From beer festivals in Europe to the deep-rooted traditions of wine-making in the Caucasus, alcohol often plays a central role in how people celebrate and connect.
Here are the top 10 countries with the highest alcohol consumption, according to global estimates reported by the WHO.
1. Moldova
Moldova, a small European landlocked country, is famous for its varied landscapes, dominated by rocky hills, lush forests, and vineyards.
Several Moldovan wine regions, including Nistreana for its red wine varieties and Codru, are home to the world’s largest wine cellars.
Moldova is considered one of the economically developing countries, with wine being a central part of the economy and culture. This accounts for nearly 15% of the annual budget, employing 1 out of 10 citizens to make alcohol.
While wine is the undisputed choice of drink here, spirits and beer also contribute to the country’s higher-than-average alcohol consumption. The Moldovans drink nearly 11.36 litres of pure alcohol annually. Thus raising growing concerns, which the public health campaigns are trying to balance cultural traditions with alcohol use disorder.
2. Poland
The alcohol consumption in Poland began to increase around 2007, with approximately 35% of adults engaging in binge drinking at least once a month.
Poland, known for its culinary traditions and UNESCO-listed sites, has a centuries-old affair with vodka, often debating with Russia over its origins. Today, Poland accounts for more than a third of all vodka sales, surpassing the overall sales of vodka in European countries.
According to WHO data as of 2021, Poles consumed around 11.36 liters of pure alcohol per capita, particularly during the May holiday. For many, vodka remains a cultural symbol, locally-brewed beer and mead correspond to 1.5 liters of alcohol consumption per occasion.
3. Ireland
Ireland, the third-largest island in Europe, is known for its one of the world’s most-consumed beers, Guinness, and some of the world’s most sought-after whiskeys.
The Irish tend to pubs more than any cafe or restaurant, making alcohol drinking a cornerstone of their social lifestyle.
According to data, the average Irish adult consumes nearly 11.71 liters of alcohol annually. Even more concerning, the 2021 studies collectively showed that 70% Irish men and 30% Irish women over 15 years of age are considered “hazardous drinkers.”
While Irish pubs remain an iconic cultural outing, health officials express rising concerns about excessive drinking, affecting individuals and societal status.
4. Lithuania
Lithuania, a small Baltic nation, is known as the ‘land of nature,’ boasting diverse landscapes of natural beauty, cultural roots, and rich history. Home to around 2.8 million people, the nation is increasingly showing a number of adults with high alcohol consumption.
According to 2021 data by the WHO, people aged 15 and older reported drinking an average of 11.70 liters of alcohol per capita. Beer accounts for nearly 45% of all pure alcohol consumed, with whiskey and other spirits in count.
With the growing rates of alcohol use disorder, the Lithuanian government has implemented strict policies to address the issue. Moreover, the government has officially made drinking illegal in public places since 2014. However, despite these measures, Lithuania remains one of Europe’s heaviest-drinking nations.
5. Uganda
Uganda tops the list of African countries with the highest alcohol consumption of nearly 12.21 liters annually per person.
Unlike many European countries, this African drinking giant’s alcohol culture often revolves around home-brewed beverages, such as wargi, a local gin, and banana beer.
According to the survey, Uganda’s men, on average, drink nearly 20 liters of pure alcohol annually, compared to just 5 liters for women. This excessive alcohol abuse has emerged as a key contributor to Ugandan economic hardships. Thus, a decrease in productivity, asset depletion, poor decision-making capabilities, and disease susceptibility has increased.
6. Seychelles
Seychelles, a tropical paradise of white-sand beaches and coral reefs, is one of the highest alcohol consuming nations in the world.
Made up of 115 islands surrounding the East Coast of Africa, this remote archipelago offers secluded places and vibrant multiculturalism, boasting strong societal relations celebrated with alcohol.
The Seychelles alcohol market has shown a steady growth over the past two decades, contributing over 11% of the nation’s GDP. Beer and spirits continue to dominate the social and festival gatherings, showing an average of 11.91 liters of pure alcohol consumption per person annually.
The Seychellois’ dependency on alcohol has sparked debates, weighing serious health concerns against its economic importance.
7. Germany
Germany is a country where beer is more than an alcoholic beverage. From Bavaria’s Oktoberfest to small town breweries, German take pride in their centuries-old beer-making traditions. Moreover, as of 2021, global data show that the country has exported around $1.38 billion of alcoholic beverages, making it one of the largest beer exporters in the world.
On average, Germans drink 12.2 liters of pure alcohol per year. Here, beer leads the way with wine and other spirits making their way into German cultural gatherings. According to OECD data, around 34% Germans engage in binge-drinking once a month.
What is more worrying is that one in every four 15-year-olds has reported being drunk at least twice, socially and occasionally. While being one of the world’s top alcohol exporters, the health implications of such widespread drinking remain a challenge.
8. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, historically known as Bohemia, is famous for its fairytale castles, diverse heritage, spa towns, and, more importantly, beer culture. The nation is the birthplace of one of the world’s most popular beer styles, pilsner.
The country consistently ranks among the highest beer consumers globally, with an average of 13.29 liters of pure alcohol consumption per year. While beer remains the king of all drinks here, Czechs also spend more on alcohol per capita compared to any other European country.
The European statistical office, Eurostat, in its 2019 study, reported a high amount of $4 billion spent on alcohol alone.
9. Georgia
Georgia, a former Soviet republic bordered by the Black Sea, is famous for its diverse cultural tapestries, ancient cave monasteries, and historic wine regions, including Kakheti and Racha Lechukhmi.
It holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest wine-making country in the world, with wine-making traditions dating back 8,000 years. This heritage vaguely shows in its drinking habits.
Ranking second on the list of highest alcohol consumption countries, Georgians consume an alarming rate of 14.33 liters of pure alcohol per year.
Drinking is often associated with social gatherings and festivities in Georgia, tied to long supras (traditional feasts) where wine flows freely for all.
10. Romania
Romania tops the list of the highest alcohol consumption country in 2025, with an average of 16.99 liters of pure alcohol consumption per person annually, tripling the global average index.
Located in Southeast Europe, the country is known for Transylvania, a forested region that has long been associated with the intriguing Dracula legends.
From village celebrations to urban nightlife, alcohol is deeply embedded in Romanian culture, earning it the title of the ‘Drunkest Country On Earth.’
Men, in particular, are the heaviest drinkers, averaging nearly 27.3 liters of alcohol consumption annually, accounting for nearly 3 liters more than Georgians.
Beyond wine and spirits, beer has also grown steadily, along with homemade plum brandy, tuica, a national favorite alcohol beverage.
Bottom Line
From the historic vineyards of Moldova to the Irish pubs and German beer gardens, alcohol is deeply integrated into many historical, cultural, and communal heritages.
As the global awareness regarding alcohol use disorder grows, many countries are taking effective measures to reduce alcohol drinking through advertising and stricter public drinking laws.
For now, these 10 nations lead the world as high alcohol consumption countries, representing both the drinking culture and the risks that come with it.
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