Australians have been named the heaviest drinkers in the world in a survey after spending more time drunk in 2020 than any other nation. The international survey found Australians drank to the point of drunkenness an average of 27 times a year, almost double the global average of 15.
Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older, the Seychelles is in first place with around 20.5 litres of alcohol drunk per person per year, according to Our World in Data; studies show that young male peer groups primarily drink high amounts of alcohol in the Seychelles.
Australia has legitimately been named the world's drunkest country by an international authority.
The most recent data by country for 18 selected developed countries, indicated that annual alcohol consumption was in the range of 6 to 12 litres per capita. Australian annual alcohol consumption was fifth highest among the selected countries at 9.5 litres capita.
The figures released by the World Health Organisation show Australians drink more pure alcohol per year than Americans, Canadians and the Japanese. “Australians drink 10.6 litres of pure alcohol each year, much higher than the global average of 6.4 litres,” according to the authors of the report.
Each month 20.4% of Australians consume alcohol at high risk levels. Australians living in remote areas are more likely to drink at high risk levels compared to those living in urban areas. The driving forces behind Australia's drinking culture are derived from social customs, habits, publicised images and normality.
A new survey has revealed which country gets drunk the most, and where Australia sits in the alcohol pecking order.
The consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia and entwined with many social and cultural activities. However, harmful levels of consumption are a major health issue, associated with increased risk of chronic disease, injury and premature death.
While WA residents are most likely to have drunk alcohol in the last week, Queenslanders are consuming the highest average number of drinks per week overall.
Australians boast about their selection and variety of alcohol. The most famous drink in Australia is vino. The most consumed drink in this country is red wine.
The World Health Organization ranks Australia 19th on the global alcohol consumption ladder, ahead of Ireland at 21, the UK at 25, New Zealand at 31, Canada at 40 and the United States at 48.
The full list (see table below), includes 38 countries with pure alcohol consumption above 10 liters per year. The majority of these countries are located in Europe.
Frequency of Australians' alcohol consumption
5% of Australians drink alcohol every day; 7% drink 5-6 days per week; 11% drink 3-4 days per week; 17% drink 1-2 days per week; 13% drink 2-3 days per month; 23% drink 1 day per month or less; and 23% of Australians abstain from alcohol.
Drinking is arguably a big part of Australian culture. In Australia, it's strongly connected to social situations; you'll struggle to find a party or gathering that doesn't have alcohol in one form or another. It's common to go out for drinks to relax after work, or to celebrate over a toast with friends and family.
Like other products, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent also applies to alcoholic drinks; this is added to the cost after the excise has been applied. As a result, almost half the price of beer is made up by taxes; 42 per cent, according to the Brewers Association.
Gnowangerup has been crowned the booziest town in Australia, with one-third of its adult residents necking two or more alcoholic drinks every day.
An ABC News article published in 2018 described lemon, lime, and bitters (LLB) as "Australia's national drink". Lemon, lime, and bitters is a mixed drink made with (clear) lemonade, lime cordial, and Angostura bitters. The lemonade is sometimes substituted with soda water or lemon squash.
Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan, says:
“Over 15.2 million Australians drink hot drinks including tea, coffee or hot chocolate in an average week and coffee which is now drunk by 11.5 million Australians pips tea on 9.8 million as the most widely consumed hot drink.
The use of alcohol and other drugs is not a traditional part of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture. Although people did consume weak alcohol made from various plants, traditional rules controlled how and when it was used.
As Australians, we are renowned for being a nation of drinkers. Regular consumption of alcohol is deeply ingrained in our national identity.
White teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 drink alcohol more often than other ethnic groups; the 2013 NSDUH reports that 12.9% drank alcohol. Almost one-quarter of the white population reports past-month binge drinking, and about 7% admit to heavy drinking in the past 30 days.
Beverage selection is closely tied to life stages: young children aged 2-8 years were the highest consumers of fruit drinks and cordials; teenagers between 14 and 18 years, especially boys, drank the most sugar-sweetened soft drinks and adults aged 31-50 years consumed the most low-kilojoule drinks as a proportion of ...
Recent research has found that Espresso Martinis and Margaritas are Australia's most popular cocktails. Data shows Espresso Martinis experienced a 300% increase in popularity in early 2021, overtaking the classic favourites; Mojitos and Pina Coladas.
Beer comprises a 45.3% share of the volume of alcohol drunk in Australia compared to 29.2% for wine, 13% for spirits, 5.8% for RTD and 3.5% for cider.