Alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in South Africa
South Africa: Alcohol consumption per capita in men and women was 15.2 litres pure alcohol in 2019. ▬ Flat
Alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in South Africa, 2000–2019
Source: World Health Organization – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in litres pure alcohol.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 15.2 litres pure alcohol for alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in 2019.
That represents a change of up 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in South Africa peaked at 15.76 litres pure alcohol in 2000 and was at its lowest, 15.04 litres pure alcohol, in 2010.
South Africa ranks 39th of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in South Africa, year by year
| Year | litres pure alcohol | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 15.76 litres pure alcohol | — |
| 2005 | 15.25 litres pure alcohol | -3.2% |
| 2010 | 15.04 litres pure alcohol | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 15.34 litres pure alcohol | +2.0% |
| 2019 | 15.2 litres pure alcohol | -0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.5 litres pure alcohol | 15.25 litres pure alcohol | 15.76 litres pure alcohol | 2 |
| 2010s | 15.19 litres pure alcohol | 15.04 litres pure alcohol | 15.34 litres pure alcohol | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 36 Canada 15.59 litres pure alcohol compare
- 37 New Zealand 15.36 litres pure alcohol compare
- 38 Vietnam 15.26 litres pure alcohol compare
- 40 Saint Lucia 15.15 litres pure alcohol compare
- 41 United States 15.03 litres pure alcohol compare
- 42 Denmark 14.64 litres pure alcohol compare
More gender data for South Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,151 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6591 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 570,099 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 589,533 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 570,599 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 589,626 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 569,634 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 588,323 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, female, interpolated 594,743 (2025)
- Age population, age 03, male, interpolated 603,304 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in South Africa?
- Alcohol consumption per capita in men and women in South Africa was 15.2 litres pure alcohol in 2019, according to World Health Organization – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest alcohol consumption per capita in men and women recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 15.76 litres pure alcohol in 2000.
- What is the lowest alcohol consumption per capita in men and women recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.04 litres pure alcohol in 2010.
- How does South Africa rank for alcohol consumption per capita in men and women?
- South Africa ranks 39th out of 186 countries with data for 2019.
- Is alcohol consumption per capita in men and women rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Alcohol consumption per capita in men and women. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Alcohol consumption per capita (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year (litres of pure alcohol).