When it comes to alcohol consumption, most might assume Germany or the UK with its pub tradition would top the charts. But according to the latest figures, neither holds the title of Europe’s heaviest drinkers.
That distinction now goes to Latvia, a small Baltic nation that has quietly climbed to the top of the continent’s alcohol consumption rankings from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and World Health Organisation (WHO). Despite an overall downward trend in Europe, Latvia bucked the pattern, recording an average of 12.1 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year in 2020, higher than any other European country included in the study, including European Union members, the UK, and other associated nations. Between 1980 and 2020, alcohol consumption in the EU dropped by 23%, from 12.7 to 9.8 litres per person, reflecting public health campaigns, changing habits, and tighter regulation. The WHO European Region, covering 53 countries including Russia, also saw a 21% decline.
This shift has been especially pronounced in Greece, Spain, Ireland, and Lithuania, where per capita alcohol consumption fell by more than 2 litres between 2010 and 2020. France, long known for its deep-rooted wine culture, also reduced its consumption by 1.6 litres, falling to 10.4 litres, below Latvia by a wide margin.
The UK came in at 9.7 litres, below Germany (10.6 litres), but still above the EU average.
While most countries drank less, Latvia increased its alcohol intake by 2.3 litres, the largest rise among 36 European countries surveyed. The surge stands in contrast to widespread efforts to promote moderation and raise awareness about alcohol-related health risks.
Other nations with notable increases include Bulgaria (1.4 litres), Malta (1.1 litres), and Poland and Romania (both 1 litre).
The World Health Organization continues to stress that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe”, citing clear links between alcohol and diseases like cancer. Yet cultural attitudes, economic factors, and policy enforcement gaps remain major obstacles to reducing intake.
In total, despite a general decline, Europe still holds the highest average alcohol consumption in the world, with 9.5 litres per person annually across the wider WHO region.
The issue goes beyond quantity, heavy episodic drinking remains widespread, particularly among men. In 2019, nearly 1 in 5 EU adults reported binge drinking (the equivalent of six or more drinks in one session) at least once a month.
Romania led with 55.2% of men reporting monthly binge drinking, while Germany, Denmark, and Belgium also reported high rates. Among women, the highest levels were found in Denmark, Luxembourg, Germany, and Ireland, where over 20% admitted to regular heavy drinking.
Interestingly, people with higher education levels are more likely to binge drink, possibly due to greater affordability, yet those with lower incomes suffer the greatest harm from alcohol-related illnesses. According to the OECD, socioeconomic inequality plays a key role in how alcohol impacts public health.
While many countries have successfully reduced drinking through taxation, marketing bans, and tighter access, the effectiveness of these policies varies, and some regions, like Latvia, appear resistant to the trend.