A little alcohol for parties, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Albania, among the lowest in Europe

Albanians are ranked among the peoples who consume the least alcoholic beverages in Europe, at least according to official data.

According to Eurostat, which publishes consumption data according to purchasing power for European countries, in 2021, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Albania was 19% of the European Union average.

According to this ranking, our country was the last in Europe, leaving behind only Turkey, with 5% of the European average.

The data for Kosovo are for the year 2020, but the consumption there is slightly higher than in Albania, with 22% of the European average.

This low share of Albania can also be related to the high level of informality in the production of alcoholic beverages, as wine and brandy are largely artisanal products (Monitor's note).

In the region, the most drinkers are Montenegrins, with 41% of the European average, and Serbs, with 41%. North Macedonia ranks after them, with 39%.

Consumption in Bosnia and Herzegovina is at similar levels to Albania, at 21% of the European average.

While the consumption is low, the prices of alcoholic beverages in Albania are as much as 122% of the European average, according to Eurostat tables, being a factor that can affect the willingness of consumers to buy this product. Alcoholic beverages are the cheapest in Europe in North Macedonia, with 81% of the European average, and the most expensive in Sweden, with 219% of the European average.

The nominal expenditure per capita for alcoholic beverages in Albania in 2021 was 86 euros, compared to 286 euros, which is the average of the European Union, according to Eurostat tables.

The most drinking countries in Europe

The Swiss are the first in Europe for the consumption of alcoholic beverages with 208% of the European average. They are followed by Austrians (146%), Estonians (139), Latvia (138), Lithuania (137), Germany (131), which are mainly cold countries.

While the Balkans and Mediterranean countries are less drinkers, as the consumption of alcoholic beverages is on average 20-30% lower than the European average. For example, in Italy the indicator is 69%, in Spain 75%. Consumption is significantly lower in Greece, with 28% of the European average./Monitor