Germans drink gallons of alcohol

Harmful to health: Germans drink on average just under twelve liters of pure alcohol a year

05/13/2014

More than five liters of pure alcohol per capita were absorbed by Germans in 2012 alone through their beer consumption. Overall, Germans over the age of 15 years averaged just under 12 liters of pure alcohol per capita in 2012, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) study..

The „Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014“ provides an overview of the global evolution of alcohol consumption, national differences and the health consequences that can be identified. „3.3 million deaths worldwide in 2012 were attributed to alcohol abuse“, according to the WHO communication. Not only is alcohol consumption associated with the risk of dependency, it also favors the development of more than 200 diseases, including cirrhosis and certain cancers. According to the findings of the report, people also use excessive alcohol „more susceptible to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.“ At the presentation of the report in Geneva, the WHO expert on noncommunicable diseases and mental health, Oleg Chestnov that „more needs to be done to protect the population from the negative health consequences of alcohol consumption.“

Men drink significantly more than women
The WHO report also highlights drastic gender differences in German alcohol consumption. For example, men drink on average 16.8 liters of pure alcohol per year, while women only drink less than half (7 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year). According to the WHO, alcohol dependence develops 4.7 percent of men in Germany and 1.1 percent of women. Overall, Europe is characterized by a significant increase in per capita consumption (10.9 liters compared to 6.2 liters of pure alcohol per year) and Germany is one of the countries with significantly above-average consumption within the EU. According to the WHO report, much of the alcohol is consumed in the form of beer (54 percent), but wine also makes a considerable contribution with 28 percent of consumption. 18 percent of alcohol consumption goes back to spirits. However, it should also be mentioned at this point that after all, 5.5 percent of Germans are among the lifelong abstainers who have never taken a drop of alcohol.

Alcohol consumption highest in Europe
Although Europe is the world's highest per capita alcohol consumption, WHO's trend analysis shows that consumption has remained largely stable over the past five years. Meanwhile, in other regions with relatively low levels of alcohol consumption, such as South-East Asia, there is a dramatic increase in alcohol consumption. The WHO also expects a significant increase in alcohol consumption, especially in China and India, starting from a low level. In Europe, on the other hand, a slight decline in the previously extreme consumption of alcohol is to be expected. However, the current report also makes clear here, „that there is no room for complacency when it comes to reducing the harmful use of alcohol“, stressed Chestnov.

Governments called to action
WHO called on governments to increase their involvement in the fight against alcohol abuse. The need for increased action had also been confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. Some countries would already take measures to protect the population. „These include raising taxes on alcohol, limiting the availability of alcohol by raising the age limit and regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages“, according to the WHO communication. The World Health Organization further reports that, in particular, people in poorer countries are more affected by the social and health consequences of alcohol abuse, as here„a high quality health care“ missing. (Fp)