Curious about your weekly alcohol intake? Your location and local drinking culture play a big role. Eastern Europeans often favor vodka, southerners prefer wine, and northerners lean toward beer. But comparing consumption has been tricky due to varying alcohol strengths in drinks across countries—until now. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), collaborating with experts from over 40 European countries, have standardized measurements to enable precise comparisons. Their comprehensive survey results are now public.
The findings highlight stark differences in alcohol use across Europe. Men consume nearly twice as many units as women, who drink the least in Israel and Central and Eastern Europe. Ireland tops the list for overall consumption. Binge drinking peaks in Portugal, with Great Britain close behind. Among Nordic countries, Danes lead in total intake, while Norwegian men report the highest weekend binge rates. The study also reaffirms a known trend: higher socioeconomic status links to greater alcohol consumption.
