How much alcohol does the average person consume?

The global average is 6.2 liters of pure alcohol per person per year, equivalent to about 250 pints of beer.

Which country drinks the most?

Germany leads among major nations at 12.4 liters per person per year. Eastern European countries like Czech Republic and Latvia are even higher.

Which countries drink the least?

Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia (0.2L) and Pakistan (0.3L) have the lowest consumption.

Global Average Alcohol Consumption

Last updated: February 2, 2026

6.2 L

liters/year

The global average alcohol consumption is approximately 6.2 liters of pure alcohol per person per year. Europe leads with the highest regional average (~9.8L), while Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and South Asia have the lowest (<1L).

Historical Trend

Source: WHO

Global Average Alcohol Consumption by Country

Country	Value (liters/year) ↓	Source
Germany	12.4	WHO
France	11.4	WHO
Russia	10.5	WHO
Australia	10.4	WHO
United Kingdom	9.8	WHO
South Korea	9.1	WHO
United States	8.9	WHO
Canada	8.2	WHO
Japan	7.1	WHO
Brazil	7	WHO
Nigeria	4.4	WHO
China	4.1	WHO
India	2.7	WHO
United Arab Emirates	2	WHO
Pakistan	0.3	WHO
Saudi Arabia	0.2	WHO

Why This Average Exists

Alcohol consumption data helps public health officials understand patterns of harmful drinking, which contributes to over 3 million deaths annually.

Factors That Affect Global Average Alcohol Consumption

Cultural and religious norms
Taxation
Advertising regulations
Legal drinking age
Availability
Income levels

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.