American research group ranks Zimbabwe as world’s drunkest nation
Zimbabweans drink almost twice as much as Tunisia, ranked second, with 36.6 litres of consumption per capita.
By Staff Reporter
A global survey by an American research group has ranked Zimbabweans as the world’s biggest consumers of alcohol per capita.
According to a survey by Wise Voter, which researches politics, health, climate and economy, on average, an individual Zimbabwean consumes 62.8 litres of pure alcohol annually.
Zimbabweans drink almost twice as much as Tunisia, ranked second, with 36.6 litres of consumption per capita.
According to country statistics, Zimbabwe consumes 62.8 litres, Tunisia 36.6 litres, Eswatini 34.4 litres, Maldives 33.7 litres, Afghanistan 33.5 litres, Namibia 32.4 litres, South Africa 29.9 litres, Algeria 29.1 litres, Turkey 28.5 litres and Iran 28.4 litres.
An individual Zimbabwean may consume 62.8 litres of pure alcohol when compared to the alcoholic beverages they would have taken in 12 months, with a prevalence of alcohol dependence of 2.2%.
The survey report said that one serving of alcohol was classified as 0.0177 fluid litres of alcohol. It said this corresponds with a 0.354 litre can/bottle of beer, one 0.148 litre glass of wine, or one 0.044 litre shot of liquor.
When comparing alcohol consumption across countries, organisations will look at litres of pure alcohol.
All top three countries, according to the report, do not have alcohol illegality but drinking is allowed to people above the age of 18.
According to Delta Beverages, Zimbabweans drank record amounts of lager beer in 2022.
Factors that contribute to varying levels of alcohol consumption across different countries include cultural and social norms toward alcohol, the availability and accessibility of alcohol, income levels and economic stability, social factors, such as peer pressure, cultural celebrations, and social expectations, as well as religious beliefs and practices.
