Bulgaria remains among the countries with the highest levels of alcohol consumption in Europe and worldwide, according to data from the World Health Organization. The figures underline persistent public health concerns and point to deep-rooted social and economic factors shaping drinking habits.
WHO data show that the average Bulgarian aged over 15 consumes 11.2 litres of pure alcohol per year. An analysis by the Institute for Market Economics indicates that spirits account for the largest share, followed by beer and wine, reflecting a strong preference for high-alcohol beverages.
While the headline figures may not initially appear extreme, converting them into everyday products paints a clearer picture. On an annual basis, this level of consumption equals roughly 188 half-litre bottles of beer, 13 bottles of wine, and more than 18 bottles of spirits per person.
Broken down into daily habits, this translates into one beer every second day, a glass of wine every four days, and a small glass of spirits almost every two days. Experts note that actual consumption is likely higher, as home-produced alcohol remains common and is not captured in official statistics.
More troubling are indicators of high-risk drinking. WHO projections suggest that in 2025 around 9.1 percent of Bulgarians over 15 will qualify as heavy continuous drinkers. This category includes individuals consuming more than 60 millilitres of pure alcohol daily.
The gender gap is pronounced. An estimated 16.6 percent of men fall into the heavy drinking category, compared with just 2.1 percent of women. Health experts warn that such patterns significantly increase the risk of chronic disease and premature death.
The health impact is substantial. Alcohol use costs Bulgarians an average of 6.4 years of healthy life, measured through disability-adjusted life years. Among men, the loss rises to 9.5 years, while for women it stands at 2.7 years.
Alcohol-related mortality remains high. In 2019, deaths linked to alcohol reached 38.9 per 100,000 people, climbing to over 70 among men. Liver cirrhosis, cancer, and road accidents continue to be major contributors.
The trend is also visible among adolescents. Data from the 2024 European School Survey show that more than 40 percent of Bulgarian students consumed alcohol before the age of 13, while access to beer, wine, and spirits remains widespread.
Economic policy plays a key role. Bulgaria applies some of the lowest excise duties on alcohol in the European Union, with wine exempt altogether. Analysts say future tax increases could gradually curb consumption, but only alongside stronger enforcement and prevention measures.