While data varies slightly by source and year, Laos and South Korea consistently rank among the highest in Asia for per capita alcohol consumption, often followed by Vietnam, Thailand, and Mongolia, driven by strong drinking cultures and local spirits like Soju in Korea. Southeast Asian nations generally show rising trends, contrasting with some East Asian declines, with heavy consumption linked to social events and career advancement.
Whites have greater odds than Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians for either a past-year or lifetime alcohol use disorder. Native Americans have greater odds than Whites for lifetime alcohol dependence but similar odds for lifetime alcohol abuse and past-year alcohol abuse and dependence.
However, with its bustling population of 19.12 million, Romania has also more recently become known as the “Drunkest Country on Earth.” Men in Romania are, by and large, the heaviest drinkers on the planet. The average Romanian male drinks 27.3 liters, roughly seven and a half gallons, per year.
From smooth and complex spirits to crisp and refreshing beers, there's something for every palate. Whether you are a fan of soju, baijiu, shochu, sake, or one of the many other Asian alcohols, there is a world of flavor waiting to be discovered.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcohol dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the WHO, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.92 per cent.
Alcohol Consumption by Country 2025
The latest survey by Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) found that an estimated 67 percent of the 126,686,000 population drink, and almost 2.5 million, or about 2 percent, are alcoholics or heavy drinkers.
China is famous for its tea, but it is also home to the world's most consumed spirit, the world's most consumed beer, and a centuries-old tradition of grain-based wines.
Soju, a clear, slightly sweet distilled spirit, is the most popular Korean liquor. It is known as "a friend of life" and "the common people's drink." Soju is made from grains (such as rice, barley, and wheat) or starches, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tapioca.
Between 30%-50% of people of East Asian descent have alcohol intolerance, a fact which leads many to refer to the condition as “Asian flush” or “Asian glow.” But although people of Asian ancestry are most at risk for alcohol intolerance, the condition can affect people of all races and ethnicities.
In 2021, American Indian or Alaska Native (36.1%) or Multiracial people (34.6%) were more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past year compared with Black or African American (24.3%), White (22.5%), Hispanic or Latino (19.4%), or Asian people (11.1%).
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a guideline for moderation: 1 drink per hour, no more than 2 drinks per occasion, and at least 3 alcohol-free days each week, helping to pace consumption and stay within safer limits. It emphasizes pacing alcohol intake with water and food, knowing standard drink sizes (12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits), and avoiding daily drinking to reduce health risks, though some health guidance suggests even lower limits.
5 Occupations That Could Put You At Risk
The lowest rate of current drinking was among Hispanic women at 38.0% (95%CI= 34.1, 42.0), who also had a high rate of lifetime abstention at 40.8% (95%CI= 37.1, 44.6). Black women also had a low rate of current drinking at 44.2% (95%CI= 40.0, 48.5), but abstainers were more likely to be former drinkers in this group.
Variant alleles of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B) genes are prevalent in individuals of Asian heritage and have been associated with an increased level of response to alcohol and a decreased risk for alcohol dependence.
1. Mining, Quarrying, And Oil Workers. Miners, including both above and below ground, oil rig workers, rock splitters, excavators, and all others who work in the mining, drilling, and quarrying industry, have the highest rate of alcohol abuse of any profession.
South Korea's 52-hour work rule caps most employees' weekly working hours at 52, consisting of 40 standard hours plus 12 allowed overtime hours, aiming to reduce overwork, improve work-life balance, and boost productivity by ending excessively long workweeks previously common in the country. Implemented in phases for different company sizes, this law applies to a seven-day week, including weekends, and was a major revision to the Labor Standards Act, phasing in from 2018 to 2021 for most businesses.
The Korean diet is rich in fish, tofu, eggs and legumes. By eating little red meat, they take in lighter protein sources and less fat and calories. Lean protein promotes satiety, supports metabolism and the maintenance of muscle mass.
Alcohol-related disease
Drinking is the second leading cause of a decline in health for Koreans. The World Health Organization has identified drinking as a major factor affecting health-related quality of life. According to statistics, the leading cause of death in Korea was cancer.
Alcoholism by Country 2026
Teetotalism is found as an aspect of religious practise in Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism and in some forms of Christianity. Other common reasons for choosing teetotalism are psychological, health, medical, philosophical, social, political, past alcoholism, or simply preference.
In its long history, morning tea has developed as something beyond mere cuisine but culture. Tea drinking is a constituent part of Chinese culture. There are various tea drinking habits and customs in different nationalities and regions [9].
What are DUI penalties in other countries? Let's look at South Africa, the country with the highest concentration of alcohol accidents in the world. In South Africa, it's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content greater than . 05, a little lower than the US's .
There isn't one single country with the absolute lowest age, as some have no minimum age (like Angola, Mali, Guinea-Bissau), while others have very low ages, with Burkina Faso often cited at 13, and countries like Germany, Austria, and Denmark allowing beer/wine at 16 (sometimes with parental supervision). The Central African Republic and Mali are sometimes listed at 15, and many African nations have no national laws.
About 40% of Japanese people are sensitive to alcohol!
For some reason, a genetic mutation occurred in some of the Mongoloids, and they have less functional ALDH2 enzyme (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2), which breaks down the harmful substance acetaldehyde that is produced when drinking alcohol.