A report 'EU citizens’ attitudes towards alcohol' has been released, continuing to show the UK and Ireland in particular as having the highest reported rates of binge drinking (EU definition* of five drinks or more on any one occasion). According to the report:
'Alcohol consumption in the EU is at a similar level to four years ago. Binge drinking (five drinks or more on any one occasion) affects all ages but young people aged 15-24 years are the most likely to binge drink every week.'
'Within the EU15, the countries with the highest average number of drinks per day in 2003 were Ireland, Finland, Denmark and the UK. In 2006 and 2009, these countries continued to have the highest percentages (amongst the countries making up the EU15, as well as amongst the EU27) of respondents who say they usually have more than 2 drinks on a day when they drink.'
'The prevalence of frequent binge drinking (drinking 5 or more drinks at least once a week) is highest in Ireland (44%), Romania (39%), Germany and Austria (both 36%). It is aso high in the UK, Spain and Greece (all 34%).'
The research has resulted in a number of media reports, ranging from the Daily Mail to this interesting piece in the Wall Street Journal which states:
'Per-capita consumption of alcohol in the U.K. rose 19% between 1980 and 2007, compared with a 13% decline for all 30 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the most recent data. Average consumption over that period fell by about 17% in the U.S., 24% in Canada, 30% in Germany and 33% in France, according to the OECD.'
See here for further information on UK drinking trends.
*Note: UK definition of binge drinking is usually drinking twice the recommended guidelines, as opposed to 5 drinks or more in the EU report.
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