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An international study puts Switzerland above the average when it comes to alcohol intake, although during the pandemic, drinkers seem to have slowed down.
This content was published on May 19, 2021 - 19:09
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The report published on Wednesday by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) puts the average Swiss intake at 11.5 litres of pure alcohol per resident per year.
This amount, just above the OECD average, corresponds to 2.5 bottles of wine or 4.4 litres of beer weekly for those aged 15 or above.
Some 4.3% of Swiss adults are “dependent” on alcohol, the report writes. The country also has one of the lowest percentages of “abstainers”, at around 20%.
Harmful measures
According to the OECD, across all the (mainly developed and European) countries involved, one in three adults has engaged in binge drinking at least once in the previous month, while one in five youths have been drunk by the age of 15.
The Czech Republic drinks the most of all countries surveyed, followed by Lithuania, Luxembourg, Germany, and Ireland. Across the board, men drank more than women – usually around double.
The report says that alcohol consumed to a dangerous degree can reduce life expectancy, increase healthcare costs, decrease productivity, and ultimately lower a country’s GDP.
It defines “harmful” consumption as more than one glass of alcohol daily for women, and more than 1.5 glasses (just under a pint of lower-strength beer, for example) for men.
Pandemic party
While the long-term effect of the pandemic on alcohol consumption is still difficult to gauge, the short-term effects varied widely from country to country, the OECD writes, with some upping their intake and some lowering it.
They mark out Switzerland as one example where, in the first wave at least, a marked decrease in alcohol consumption was observed, although they didn’t go further in explaining exactly why this was the case.
Switzerland was also singled out as the country with the lowest rate of VAT imposed on alcohol, at 7.7%.
The report is available on the OECD's websiteExternal link.
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As a seasoned expert with a profound understanding of alcohol consumption patterns, health implications, and global trends, I can confidently delve into the key concepts embedded in the article about Switzerland's alcohol intake, as reported by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on May 19, 2021.
Firstly, the average alcohol intake in Switzerland is quantified at 11.5 liters of pure alcohol per resident per year, according to the OECD report. This figure, slightly above the OECD average, translates to 2.5 bottles of wine or 4.4 liters of beer weekly for individuals aged 15 or above. Notably, Switzerland stands out with approximately 4.3% of Swiss adults being categorized as "dependent" on alcohol, coupled with a relatively low percentage of "abstainers" at around 20%.
The report highlights that harmful alcohol consumption, defined as exceeding one glass of alcohol daily for women and more than 1.5 glasses for men, can lead to adverse effects. These consequences encompass reduced life expectancy, escalated healthcare costs, diminished productivity, and a potential negative impact on a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Comparative data reveals that Switzerland, despite having above-average alcohol intake, demonstrated a marked decrease in alcohol consumption during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the OECD does not explicitly elucidate the reasons behind this decrease, it underscores the variability in alcohol consumption changes observed globally during the pandemic.
Switzerland's distinctive position is further emphasized as the country with the lowest rate of Value-Added Tax (VAT) imposed on alcohol, standing at 7.7%. The interplay between taxation policies and alcohol consumption is an intriguing aspect that warrants exploration within the broader context of public health and economic considerations.
The global perspective presented in the article places Switzerland in the context of other nations, with the Czech Republic leading in alcohol consumption, followed by Lithuania, Luxembourg, Germany, and Ireland. Additionally, the report sheds light on the prevalence of binge drinking, especially among youth, with one in five individuals reportedly drunk by the age of 15 across surveyed countries.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive overview of Switzerland's alcohol consumption patterns, its standing in international comparisons, the potential implications of harmful alcohol consumption, and the nuanced impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drinking habits. The inclusion of taxation information adds a layer of complexity to the analysis, highlighting the multifaceted nature of alcohol-related issues at the intersection of health, society, and economics.
