MADRID – Spain has achieved second place in the EU in terms of alcohol consumption. Although 13% of Spaniards drink a glass every day, drinking is not as excessive in Spain as in other EU countries.
Eurostat conducted a study on behalf of the European Union into drinking among people over 15 years of age. The Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia wrote on Monday about the conclusions of the European health interview survey (EHIS).
Portugal, Spain, and Italy in top 3
This study examines the drinking habits of people within EU countries over the age of 15 between 2018 and 2020. Only the Portuguese outnumber Spaniards as in Portugal 20.7% of residents over this age drink alcohol on a daily basis. Italy takes third place with 12.1%.
A third of Spaniards did not drink a drop last year
On average, 8.4% of people within EU countries over the age of 15 drink every day. Spain, therefore, scores above average in this area with 13%. 22.9% of Spaniards say they drink weekly and 18.3% drink only once a month. However, no less than 33.45% of Spaniards say they have not drunk a drop in the past 12 months.
Excessive drinking takes place outside Spain
Although Spaniards drink alcohol somewhat more often than in other EU countries, the amount of alcohol they drink is not as excessive. Whereas, excessive drinking is more common in Denmark and Romania. For example, where 37.8% and 35% of the alcohol-drinking population respectively drink excessive alcohol at least once a month. Whereby in Spain, that percentage is below 10% with the average within EU countries just under 20%.
Insight and consequences of harmful alcohol use
In recent years, international and national initiatives have been taken to reduce alcohol consumption. This study uses the European Union to provide insight into the extent of alcohol consumption by residents per country.
Harmful alcohol use and even addiction are risk factors associated with many chronic diseases, such as liver disease and certain cancers. According to the World Health Organisation, 3 million deaths worldwide are attributable to harmful alcohol consumption each year, representing 5.3% of all deaths each year.
