Alcohol Linked to 800,000 Deaths Annually in Europe, WHO Reports

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed alarming statistics about alcohol consumption in Europe, reporting that excessive drinking leads to around 800,000 deaths annually, which accounts for one in every eleven deaths across the continent. The new WHO fact sheet highlights Europe as having the highest levels of alcohol consumption globally, significantly contributing to premature mortality and injury.

Based on 2019 data, nearly 145,000 injury-related deaths in the region were attributed to alcohol, with the leading causes being self-harm, road injuries, and falls. Furthermore, alcohol is strongly linked to interpersonal violence, including assaults and domestic abuse, playing a central role in violent injury deaths.
 

The report also warns about the detrimental effects of alcohol on young people, who are especially vulnerable to impaired brain development, poor decision-making, and long-term mental health issues. For adolescents and young adults, alcohol remains a leading risk factor for injury-related disability and premature death.

Eastern European countries bear the brunt of alcohol-related deaths, accounting for nearly half of all alcohol-attributable injury deaths. The report highlights changes in drinking patterns in Russia, where the consumption of vodka has declined, with beer now being the most popular alcoholic beverage.