03 Aug What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Other Countries?

In countries with strong religious prohibitions against alcohol, legal drinking ages may be higher or alcohol may be banned entirely. Conversely, in nations where alcohol is integrated into social and family life, younger drinking ages are common. Alcohol consumption laws vary widely across the globe, reflecting cultural, legal, and public health priorities. For many young people, reaching the legal drinking age marks a significant milestone.

Increased Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder

Laws concerning alcoholic beverages are far more relaxed in other Islamic countries, especially those where a lot of foreign tourists visit, including Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Some countries have different laws for drinking, depending on what kind of drink (beer, wine, or mixed drink) and whether a parent or guardian is present. The drinking age varies from country to country, though most of the world establishes it at age 18. However, the UK chief recommends that underage persons not drink at least until they are 15.

Minimum Ages for Alcohol Consumption Around the World

This puts their drinking rate below that of middle-aged and older adults, although fewer in those groups are also claiming to drink than did so two years ago. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, traveler, or policymaker, knowing the drinking age per country helps you make informed decisions and better understand how alcohol laws affect communities. In many cultures, a parent or guardian introduces alcohol at home to teach moderation. Research shows that supervised drinking doesn’t always prevent underage drinking outside the home and may even increase the chances of long-term use.

• These codes also control the content shown on radio and TV or in print or on outdoor signs featuring advertisement.
• At this time, fines were up to $700 for an adult purchasing alcohol for a minor.
• The drinking age varies from country to country, though most of the world establishes it at age 18.
• Flags are symbolic representations of states, countries, territories, or organizations.
• Law enforcement plays a big role in how effective drinking age restrictions are.

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Bulgarian citizens consume an average of 12.46 liters earning the Eastern European country the eighth spot. The grand duchy of Luxembourg is not far behind with 12.45 liters per capita, while Romania completes the list of top ten countries in alcohol consumption, with an average of 12.34 liters. Americans’ drinking habits are shifting amid the medical world’s reappraisal of alcohol’s health effects. Compounding the challenge for companies that sell alcohol, drinkers now appear to be dialing back how much they drink, as well.

Worried about youth alcohol use and harm? Learn how prevention starts at home and school.

However, starting in the mid-70s, a number of states lowered the legal drinking age to as young as 18 in response to the lowering of the age when one can vote. Originally, after the repeal of Prohibition, the legal drinking age in the United States was 21. Iran is a little more relaxed in that non-Muslims are allowed to brew and distill alcoholic beverages for their own use, but not to sell or buy them. A German can drink beer or wine in public as young as age 14 if he or she is accompanied by a parent or guardian. Population refers to the demographic characteristics, including size, composition, and distribution of its inhabitants.

Pubs could also lose their alcohol licenses, and owners maybe could end up in jail if they serve to minors. On February 18, 2020, the German Government stated that they will not raise the drinking age to 18. Instead, the government responded to the Green Party’s concerns by advocating responsible alcohol use, which they believe is working. Excessive drinking can also lead to additional complications including vomiting, memory blackouts, sleepiness to the point of “passing out”, and in extreme cases, alcohol poisoning. U.S. drinkers continue to cite beer as the alcoholic beverage they consume most often, exceeding the 30% who name liquor and 29% who name wine.

• A close second is Moldova with an average consumption of 12.85 liters per person.
• However, there are no laws or regulations prohibiting minors from taking alcoholic drinks.
• It is the standard in much of Europe (France, Spain, Italy), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico), Africa (Kenya, South Africa) and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand).
• Travellers would do well to check local regulations before purchasing alcohol – what is legal in Luxembourg at 16 may still be illegal in Texas at 21, and entirely forbidden in Riyadh.
• Nations with no legal drinking age limit include Armenia, Cambodia, and Morocco.
• The range is striking – an eight-year difference between the youngest and oldest legal drinkers.

Studies show that countries with a higher legal drinking age MLDA tend to have fewer cases of drunk driving and alcohol-related deaths among youth. In these countries, it is illegal to sell or supply alcoholic drinks to anyone under 16, but once a young person reaches this age, they can legally drink alcohol. The consumption of alcoholic beverages before 21 has been linked to long-term health risks, including liver damage, mental health disorders, and academic decline.

Understanding these global differences helps highlight the importance of age-appropriate policies that protect young people and reduce alcohol-related harm, including alcohol addiction. Alcohol is one of those legal oddities that shows just how differently societies define adulthood. Some countries set no age at all, others follow a moderate 18, and a few insist on 21.

This article explores the history of drinking age laws, the reasons behind them, and how they shape the consumption of alcoholic beverages among young people worldwide. Only public businesses that have the proper license can sell alcohol, and the drinking age in Ireland is at least 18. Restaurants, hotels and resorts or pubs all have to abide by rules stating what hours of the day they can serve, and they could end up with fines, jail time or closure if they sell to minors. For the first time in Gallup’s trend, a majority of Americans, 53%, say drinking in moderation, or “one or two drinks a day,” is bad for one’s health. Just 6% say it’s good for one’s health, while 37% believe it makes no difference. Today’s belief that moderate alcohol consumption is unhealthy follows increases from 28% in 2018 and 39% in 2023 to 45% a year ago.

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When it comes to purchasing alcohol, the lowest age is 16, and this is the minimum age in many European countries including Belgium, Spain, and Austria. Some nations such as Germany have a legal drinking age of 16 for beer and wine, but a higher minimum age of 18 for hard liquor or spirits. The Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) is the minimum age at which a person is legally allowed to handle or consume alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol sales regulations

It’s why Italy now attempts to control teenage drinking more than they did in the past. If you are traveling or studying in Italy, you might need to know what the drinking age is there. Youth ages 16 and over can purchase alcohol with the appropriate identification. School-age children and young adults also receive drinking age by country 2024 some of the same warnings about drinking too much alcohol as do the adults.

This is different than much of the rest of the world staying at home this year. Some of these include blocks 7 and 23 in the Canberra Central District and near the Canberra Theatre Center. Several sections of Phillip Park, large portions of Sydney and Queensland also have dry areas. Likewise, Melbourne City, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania designate their own alcohol-free sections.