Germany likes to see itself at the top in Europe, but unfortunately, the country also ranks high in less favorable statistics. In terms of per capita alcohol consumption, Germany has secured fifth place—surpassing even the British and Irish, who are known for their drinking culture. Liver damage, high blood pressure, and the risk of addiction are just some of the downsides of alcohol consumption. But what impact does alcohol have on daily life?

Alcohol Consumption Has Direct Economic Consequences

The costs associated with alcohol abuse should not be underestimated. In 2022, alcohol misuse in Germany resulted in €16.6 billion in direct expenses. The lion’s share—€13.7 billion—was attributed to healthcare costs, followed by €2 billion for the care of people suffering from alcohol addiction (source: Statista). However, according to the Federal Ministry of Health, total costs in 2024 amounted to around €57 billion when factoring in lost productivity, early retirement, or alcohol-related deaths (source: BMGS). The German Cancer Research Center’s Alcohol Compass reported that 14,200 people in Germany died in 2020 from diseases solely caused by alcohol (source: BMGS).

Concerning Numbers Among the Population

The number of people whose alcohol consumption is considered critical remains alarming. In 2024, 7.9 million Germans aged 18 to 64 consumed alcohol at levels deemed critical. In 2021, this figure was nine million. “Problematic” consumption refers to cases where physical, psychological, or social issues have already occurred. “Critical” consumption indicates an increased risk of health or social problems due to alcohol use.

Although the trend is declining, as shown in the data, many Germans still underestimate the consequences of regular alcohol consumption. Socially, alcohol is not seen as a “risky drug” like cocaine; instead, a glass of sparkling wine or a beer after work is simply part of the culture.

Germany’s relaxed attitude toward alcohol is also evident in its laws: beer and wine can be consumed legally by minors. In Bavaria, beer is not just considered a food item like elsewhere in Germany but a staple food.

A European Comparison

Germany’s numbers are particularly striking when compared to countries like Italy. There, a glass of wine during lunch—or even earlier—is as much a part of daily life as an aperitivo during an afternoon stroll. Yet Italy ranked far lower in Europe with a per capita consumption of just eight liters in 2019, placing it at 35th (source: Statista).

What Does the Future Hold for Alcohol Consumption?

Looking at Germany’s favorite alcoholic beverage—beer—the future seems bleak for breweries but promising for health insurers. Beer consumption dropped from 11.2 billion liters in 2003 by 25.3 percent to 8.4 billion liters (source: Tagesschau).

This decline isn’t limited to beer; younger generations are increasingly favoring non-alcoholic beverages. A 2022 survey revealed that only 8.7 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds drank alcohol at least once a week—significantly down from 14 percent in 2011. Among those aged 18 to 25, regular alcohol consumption also fell during this period from 40 percent to 32 percent.

Perhaps one day Germany will only rank as average when it comes to alcohol consumption (source: Tagesschau).