Ranking alcohol consumption across Central Asia

Ranking alcohol consumption across Central Asia / Photo: Kursiv.media

Kazakhstan consumes more alcohol per capita than any other country in Central Asia, according to global statistics published by World Population Review (WPR).

The website recently released comparative data on alcohol consumption across countries worldwide, measured in liters of pure alcohol consumed per person annually.

Regional comparisons

In Kazakhstan, annual per capita consumption is estimated at 5.4 liters of alcohol. That figure is significantly higher than in neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan, where consumption stands at 2.1 liters.

Kyrgyzstan reports annual consumption of 3.9 liters per person, while much lower levels are recorded in Tajikistan (0.7 liters) and Turkmenistan (0.3 liters).

Religious and cultural factors

Despite Kazakhstan’s regional lead, overall alcohol consumption across Central Asia remains relatively low by global standards. According to the authors of the ranking, this trend is largely influenced by the role of Islam, which discourages alcohol use and shapes social norms across much of the region.

Global leaders in alcohol consumption

WPR identifies Eastern and Central Europe as the world’s heaviest-drinking regions. Romania ranks first globally, with annual consumption of 17.1 liters of pure alcohol per person.

It is followed by Georgia (15.5 liters) and Latvia (14.7 liters). Moldova (14.1 liters) and the Czech Republic (13.7 liters) round out the top five.

Countries with the lowest consumption

The report does not include data for several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Among countries with available data, the lowest levels of alcohol consumption — about 0.1 liters per person per year — are reported in Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Syria and Kuwait, where religious and legal restrictions sharply limit alcohol use.

Globally, researchers note a gradual decline in alcohol consumption in many countries, as abstinence and reduced drinking gain popularity due to health concerns and changing social attitudes.