TOP IMBIBING COUNTRIES

EVER WONDER who drinks the most alcohol in the entire world?  Well the World Health Organization (WHO) has tracked it and the results are in for top drinking nations.  Alcohol consumption varies widely across the globe and while the US stacks up pretty well compared to some other countries, Russians and their neighbors drink more than almost everyone else in the world. Portugal, Grenada, and Andorra are also ranked in the highest category at more than 12.5 liters per person over the age of 15 in 2O1O.  The WHO notes in its report that 48 percent of those included in this data abstain from drinking altogether.  So if those people were excluded, per capita consumption among those who do drink would be even higher than what’s shown on this map.  Canadians drink more than Americans, keeping pace with most European countries.  Alcohol consumption is low in northern Africa, but the southern half of the continent sees higher drinking rates, especially South Africa and Namibia.  Other countries near Russia, including Ukraine and Belarus, have similar levels of alcohol consumption.  WHO’s report notes that the European region contains just 14.7 percent of the world’s population above the age of 15, but accounts for 25.7 percent of the total alcohol consumed worldwide.