According to Eurostat's official statistics, Albanians are the people who drink the least in Europe. According to Eurostat, Albania ranks penultimate on the continent, leaving behind only Turkey.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages according to purchasing power in Albania was 19% of the European average, while Kosovo is only slightly above Albania with 22%.
In the Western Balkan region, Montenegrins and Serbs are the most drinkers, followed by North Macedonia. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina is at similar levels to Albania.
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, at 81% of the European average, and the most expensive in Sweden, at 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.
Meanwhile, from the tables, it is clearly seen that the Swiss are among the most drink-loving countries, followed by the Austrians, the Baltic countries and Germany, where the temperatures are even lower than in Albania or the Mediterranean countries. Similarly, in Greece, alcohol consumption is 28% of the European average, while in Italy 69%, i.e. below the average. / TCH
