Ultimately, it is up to each country to determine what is best for its citizens and their relationship with alcohol. Engaging in heavy drinking at this time can affect how the brain develops. It can cause cognitive impairment and deficits, as well as memory problems. In fact, while youths have better motor control when they have had too much to drink compared with adults, teens and young adults have more learning and memory problems when inebriated.

Alcohol Consumption Among Chinese Youth

The drinking age for nearly all Caribbean countries is 18, with the exception of a few countries. Some nations prohibit alcohol entirely, while others allow consumption at 15 years. The strict 21-year-old drinking law in the United States is enforced rigorously, with penalties for individuals and establishments that violate the law. Underage drinking is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by fines, community service, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even the suspension of driver’s licenses. The opposing side believes America’s drinking age should be lowered. Interestingly, in Sweden you can actually consume legally alcohol at any age at home, but you must be 18 to order it in a restaurant or bar, and 20 to actually purchase it.

• However, a lot of these nations do have a minimum purchase age, which varies from 14 to 20 years old.
• A young person who begins drinking before age 15 faces significantly higher dependency rates.
• There is some debate over whether a younger legal drinking age is better in the long run for the wellbeing of youth and others, or if it is more beneficial to delay it.

Safer, healthier people and communities

Compared to the United States where the drinking age is 21 years old, the drinking laws in the Caribbean are relatively mild. Effective alcohol addiction treatment programs consider the age at which drinking began. Treatment approaches differ significantly for individuals who started drinking as teenagers versus those who began as adults. The United Kingdom permits 16-year-olds to drink beer, wine, or cider with meals when accompanied by an adult. However, the law prohibiting independent alcohol purchases remains until 18.

According to UNEWS, lowering the drinking age to 18 allows 18 to 20 year olds to consume alcohol safely in regulated environments, with supervision. The article also mentions Europe’s small size is one of the many factors that contributes to its lower drinking age. Beyond Eritrea, several other nations and regions maintain relatively high legal drinking ages. In India, the legal drinking age is not uniform, with some states like Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, and Punjab setting it at 25 years.

Research consistently shows that minimum legal drinking age laws affect public health outcomes. Countries with higher age limits typically report fewer alcohol-related hospitalizations among young people. When it comes to legal drinking ages, some countries take a more relaxed approach.

Most European countries have a legal drinking age of 18 years old and above. But certain countries, such as Denmark, have allowed children and teens as young as 16 years old to consume alcohol – As long as there’s a responsible guardian nearby. Meanwhile, other countries’ legal drinking age depends on the percentage of alcohol being consumed. If it’s beer or wine, then 16 years old is allowed, but harder drinks like vodka will only be sold to anyone above 18. Europe is a very large continent, and perhaps this topic isn’t enough to cover every single country.

North America

There are also some who believe the age should stay the same for hard liquor while being lowered for wine and beer. Eighteen years is the most common legal drinking age worldwide, serving as the standard in many countries across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. This age often aligns with the general age of legal majority, where individuals gain other adult rights and responsibilities. To find out how old you have to be to drink everywhere in the world, we looked at the drinking age in every country covered by the WHO’s 2014 global alcohol report. When the WHO didn’t have data, ages reported by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking were used.

• In Burkina Faso, for instance, there is no national age restriction on off-premise alcohol sales, which can lead to very young individuals, such as teenagers as young as 13, being able to purchase alcohol.
• All cruise lines require guests to present a valid ID to consume or purchase alcohol on board.
• This creates increased demand for alcohol addiction treatment services.
• While a lot of the data available to date suggests that setting the legal drinking age lower would teach the younger generation to drink responsibly, it does not seem like the law will change anytime soon.
• The legal drinking age has long been a topic of debate and controversy around the world.

Rob Gronkowski Got Hit by a Flying Can of Beer During Victory Parade

Many countries, such as the United States, have begun arguing about whether the drinking age should be lowered. The argument is that if you’re mature enough to join the army or begin legally driving, then you should be able to be trusted enough to make safe alcohol-related decisions. Several countries fall into this category, including Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Timor-Leste, Togo, Vanuatu, and Western Sahara.

The Strict 21-Year-Old Drinking Law in The United States

Many Americans contemplate whether or not Europe’s legal drinking age would be beneficial if copied. The consumption of alcoholic beverages before 21 has been linked to long-term health risks, including liver damage, mental health disorders, and academic decline. Additionally, early exposure to alcohol can also increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. People now drink alcohol made from wheat, rye, potatoes, rice, grapes, berries, sugar cane, and everything in between. In the US, the legal drinking age is determined at a national level.

This group includes major nations like the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, China, France, and Italy. The 18-year threshold country with the oldest drinking age aligns with the age of majority in most legal systems. Lastly, be aware of your surroundings and personal safety when consuming alcohol in a foreign country. It’s important to always be mindful of your own well-being and to take precautions to ensure your safety. Avoid excessive drinking, watch your drink at all times, and never accept drinks from strangers.

What Country Has the Highest Legal Drinking Age?

Another major consideration is the legal age for other adult activities, such as voting, joining the military, and getting married. In countries where the legal age for these activities is 18, it seems logical to extend adult privileges to include the consumption of alcohol. The alcohol laws of the United States regarding minimum age for purchase have changed over time. In addition, the purchase age is not necessarily the same as the minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages, although they have often been the same.